Apparatus and method for reading indicia using charge coupled device and scanning laser beam technology

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention generally relates to an apparatus and method operative for electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, for example, bar code or matrix array symbols, and, more particularly, to apparatus using both charge coupled device (CCD) technology and laser beam scanning technology for properly positioning, orienting and/or aiming such apparatus and reading one or two-dimensional bar code symbols, and to a method therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] various optical readers and optical scanning systems have been developed heretofore for reading indicia such as bar code symbols appearing on a label or on the surface of an article. The bar code symbol itself is a coded pattern of indicia comprised of a series of bars of various widths spaced apart from one another to bound spaces of various widths, the bars and spaces having different light-reflecting characteristics. The readers and scanning systems electro-optically transform the graphic indicia into electrical signals, which are decoded into alphanumerical characters that are intended to be descriptive of the article or some characteristic thereof. Such characters are typically represented in digital form and utilized as an input to a data processing system for applications in point-of-sale processing, inventory control, and the like. Scanning systems of this general type have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,251,798; 4,369,361; 4,387,297; 4,409,470; 4,760,248; 4,896,026, all of which have been assigned to the same assignee as the instant application.

[0003] As disclosed in some of the above patents, one arrangement of such a scanning system resides, inter alia, in a hand-held, portable laser scanning head supported by a user, which is configured to allow the user to aim the head, and more particularly, a light beam, at a target and a symbol to be read.

[0004] The light source in a laser scanner bar code reader is typically a gas laser or semiconductor laser. The use of semiconductor devices as the light source in scanning systems is especially desirable because of their small size, low cost and low voltage requirements. The laser beam is optically modified, typically by a focusing optical assembly, to form a beam spot of a certain size at the target distance. It is preferred that the cross section of the beam spot at the target distance be approximately the same as the minimum width between regions of different light reflectivity, i.e., the bars and spaces of the symbol.

[0005] The bar code symbols are formed from bars or elements typically rectangular in shape with a variety of possible widths. The specific arrangement of elements defines the character represented according to a set of rules and definitions specified by the code or "symbology" used. The relative size of the bars and spaces is determined by the type of coding used, as is the actual size of the bars and spaces. The number of characters per inch represented by the bar code symbol is referred to as the density of the symbol. To encode a desired sequence of characters, a collection of element arrangements are concatenated together to form the complete bar code symbol, with each character of the message being represented by its own corresponding group of elements. In some symbologies, a unique "start" and "stop" character is used to indicate where the bar code begins and ends. A number of different bar code symbologies exist. These symbologies include UPC/EAN, Code 39, Code 128, Codabar, and Interleaved 2 of 5, etc.

[0006] For the purpose of our discussion, characters recognized and defined by a symbology shall be referred to as legitimate characters, while characters not recognized and defined by that symbology are referred to as illegitimate characters. Thus, an arrangement of elements not decodable by a given symbology corresponds to an illegitimate character(s) for that symbology.

[0007] In order to increase the amount of data that can be represented or stored on a given amount of surface area, several new bar code symbologies have recently been developed. One of these new code standards, Code 49, introduces a "two-dimensional" concept by stacking rows of characters vertically instead of extending the bars horizontally. That is, there are several rows of bar and space patterns, instead of only one row. The structure of Code 49 is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,794,239. Another two-dimensional symbology, known as "PDF417", is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,304,786. Still other symbologies have been developed in which the symbol is comprised of a matrix array made up of hexagonal, square, polygonal and/or other geometric shapes. Prior art Fig. 24A-C depict exemplary known matrix and other type symbols. Such symbols are further described in, for example, U.S. Patents 5,276,315 and 4,794,239. Such matrix symbols may include Vericode™, Datacode™ and UPSCODE™.

[0008] In the laser beam scanning systems known in the art, the laser light beam is directed by a lens or similar optical components along a light path toward a target that includes a bar code or other symbol on the surface. The moving-beam scanner operates by repetitively scanning the light beam in a line or series of lines across the symbol by means of motion of a scanning component, such as the light source itself or a mirror, disposed in the path of the light beam. The scanning component may either sweep the beam spot across the symbol and trace a scan line or pattern across the symbol, or scan the field of view of the scanner, or do both.

[0009] Bar code reading systems also include a sensor or photodetector which functions to detect light reflected or scattered from the symbol. The photodetector or sensor is positioned in the scanner in an optical path so that it has a field of view which ensures the capture of a portion of the light which is reflected or scattered off the symbol is detected and converted into an electrical signal. Electronic circuitry or software decode the electrical signal into a digital representation of the data represented by the symbol that has been scanned. For example, the analog electrical signal operated by the photodetector may be converted into a pulse width modulated digital signal, with the widths corresponding to the physical widths of the bars and spaces. Such a digitized signal is then decoded based upon the specific symbology used by the symbol into a binary representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and subsequently to the alphanumeric characters so represented.

[0010] The decoding process in known bar code reading systems usually works in the following way. The decoder receives the pulse width modulated digital signal from the bar code reader, and an algorithm implemented in software attempts to decode the scan. If the start and stop characters and the characters between them in the scan were decoded successfully and completely, the decoding process terminates and an indicator of a successful read (such as a green light and/or an audible beep) is provided to the user. Otherwise, the decoder receives the next scan, performs another decode attempt on that scan, and so on, until a completely decoded scan is achieved or no more scans are available.

[0011] Such a signal is then decoded according to the specific symbology into a binary representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and to the alphanumeric characters so represented.

[0012] Moving-beam laser scanners are not the only type of optical instrument capable of reading bar code symbols. Another type of bar code reader particularly relevant to the present invention is one which incorporates detectors based upon charge coupled device (CCD) technology. In such prior art readers the size of the detector is typically smaller than the symbol to be read because of the image reduction by the objective lens in front of the CCD. The entire symbol is flooded with light from a light source such as light emitting diodes (LED) in the reader, and each CCD cell is sequentially read out to determine the presence of a bar or a space.

[0013] The working range of CCD bar code scanners can be rather limited as compared to laser based scanners and is especially low for CCD based scanners with an LED illumination source. Other features of CCD based bar code scanners are set forth in US-A-5,210,398 which is illustrative of the earlier technological techniques proposed for use in CCD scanners to acquire and read two-dimensional indicia.

[0014] Moreover, EP-A-0 517 957 discloses a system for reading bar code symbols or the like, having a scanner for generating a laser beam directed toward a target and producing a narrow first raster scanning pattern that enables the user to manually aim and direct the beam to the location desired by the user and a relatively wider second raster scanning pattern that sweeps an entire symbol to be read, and a detector for receiving reflected light from such symbol to produce electrical signals corresponding to data represented by such symbol.

[0015] EP-A-0 524 029 discloses a hand-held bar code reader with a two dimensional image sensor for omnidirectional bar code reading, including variable imaging optics, and flash illumination with variable flash illumination optics. A spotter beam is provided for aiming the hand held bar code reader at a bar code symbol. The spotter beam is also used to measure the range to said bar code from said hand held bar code reader and to determine the focal length of said variable imaging optics and variable flash illumination optics. The imaging optics are adjusted automatically to provide the correct magnification and focus of a bar code regardless of range to the label. The variable focal length flash illumination optics are used to concentrate illumination energy only in the field of view of the bar code reader. The flash illumination energy is conserved by measuring the ambient light and setting the level of flash illumination energy in accordance with the measured level of ambient light. In such manner, conventional, damaged, multiple, and stacked bar codes symbols along with true two dimensional codes may be rapidly read over distances from under one foot to over several feet without having to align the bar code reader to the bar code.

[0016] Finally, US-A-5,250,792 discloses a portable laser diode scanning head which is aimable at each symbol to be read and emits and receives non-readily-visible laser light, and is equipped with a trigger-actuated aiming light arrangement for visually locating and tracking each symbol. A compact laser diode optical train and an optical folded path assembly, as well as an interchangeable component design and an integral window construction for the head also are disclosed.

[0017] It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved indicia scanner without the limitations of prior art readers.

[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an indicia scanner capable of providing the features of both a flying spot light beam scanner and an imaging scanner in a single unit.

[0019] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a scanner for reading both two-dimensional or more complex indicia and linear bar codes.

[0020] It is still another object of the invention to both perform laser scanning and CCD imaging either simultaneously, alternatively, or on a time-division multiplexed basis.

[0021] It is also an object of the invention to provide an indicia reader capable of automatically and adaptively reading indicia of different symbology types, including indicia comprised of a matrix array of geometric shapes such as a UPSCODE™, in close spatial proximity.

[0022] It is an even further object of the invention to provide a method which can be used to accomplish one or more of the above objectives.

[0023] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, including the following detail description, as well as by practice of the invention. While the invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] According to the present invention a bar code reader for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity, such as bar code or matrix array symbols containing optically encoded information, is provided as set forth in claim 1. The reader has a laser light emitter for generating a scanning light beam to visually illuminate sequential portions of the indicia and produce reflected light from the indicia. A sensor, such as a linear array of charge coupled or two-dimensional array of solid state imaging device simultaneously detects light from the light beam or ambient light reflected from portions of the indicia and generates an electrical signal representative of the reflected light from the portions of the indicia. The sensor may operate in either a scanning or non-scanning mode, the latter being similar to that of a single photodetector, or in both modes. When operating in a scanning mode, the sensor may scan a field of view at a rate faster or substantially slower than the scanning light beam. The sensor may be controlled to scan a field of view only periodically and may function as a range detector to detect the distance between the scanning device and targeted indicia. The sensors' operation as a range detector is further described below. The emitter and sensor may be disposed in a hand-held housing to allow for portable operation.

[0025] The reader may also include an ambient light sensor for detecting the level of the ambient light in a field of view and producing an output signal if the ambient light is above a threshold value, i.e. the value at which sufficient ambient light exist for a satisfactory read of the indicia without additional light being reflected from the indicia. An activator can also be included to activate the emitter, preferably automatically, in response to the output signal. The activator may also be responsive to the electrical signal generated by the sensor. In this way, the emitter is activated, for example, only after the sensor has obtained a satisfactory read on one symbol and the emitter continues to emit a light beam until the sensor has obtained a satisfactory read of the next symbol. Unlike some prior art bar code readers, the light beam need not be deactivated after a successful decode of a symbol. More particularly, the light beam could be deactivated only if no decode had taken place after a predetermined time.

[0026] A processor for processing the electrical signal is also preferably provided. The processor typically includes an analog to digital converter for converting the electrical signal into a corresponding digital signal, and a decoder for decoding the digital signal in order to obtain the information encoded within the symbol. The decoder may include a discriminator for determining whether the targeted symbol is a linear or multidimensional symbol, for example a bar code symbol of a certain symbology type. A selection device is beneficially provided for deactivating the light emitter if it is determined that the targeted symbol is a multidimensional bar code symbol. The discriminator may be adapted to more generally discriminate between indicia of different symbology types or to discriminate between indicia of any desired symbology types. For example, the discriminator may be adapted to look for symbols conforming to UPSCODE™. The sensor can be adapted to detect visible light reflected from a portion of the symbol which is formed of a bull's eye mark. Such marks are being more frequently used in conjunction with symbols formed of a matrix array of geometric shapes, such as those conforming with UPSCODE™ symbology.

[0027] Further preferred embodiments of the bar code reader of the present invention may be gathered from the dependent claims.

[0028] Further, in accordance with the present invention, various methods are provided as set forth in claims 35, 36, 59, and 62. Preferred variants of these methods may be gathered from the respective dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figs. 1A-E are respectively (i) a side sectional view of a gun-shaped, narrow-bodied, twin-windowed arrangement of a laser tube-based portable laser scanning head, (ii) a top sectional view of a detail of the laser tube and part of the optical train of Fig. 1A, (iii) a rear sectional view as taken along line IC-IC of Fig. 1A, (iv) a top plan section view showing the laser tube and part of the optical train, and (v) a front elevative view of the Fig. 1A arrangement.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the Fig. 1 arrangement, on a much smaller scale, and diagrammatically shows the interconnection of the head to the remainder of the scanning system.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a side schematic view of a gun-shaped, narrow-bodied, twin-windowed arrangement of a light-based portable scanning head.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a top plan schematic view of the arrangement of Fig. 3.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a front view of a portable laser diode scanning head .

[0034] Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the head of Fig. 5.

[0035] Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

[0036] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a symbol and the parts thereof which are impinged upon, and reflected from, by a light beam.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a static single beam aiming arrangement.

[0038] Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a symbol and the parts thereof which are illuminated by static single-beam, or by twin-beam aiming.

[0039] Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a static twin-beam aiming arrangement.

[0040] Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a symbol and the parts thereof which are illuminated by a dynamic single-beam aiming.

[0041] Fig. 13 is a block diagram of the scanning system according to the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 14 is a flow chart of the operation of an algorithm used in the present invention.

[0043] Figs. 15A-15C are perspective views of an embodiment of a hybrid scanner according to the present invention.

[0044] Figs. 16A-16B are respectively a plan and elevation view of the hybrid scanner of Fig. 15A.

[0045] Fig. 17 depicts the scan line formed across a bar code symbol using the hybrid scanner of Fig. 15A.

[0046] Figs. 18A-18D are schematic representations of the range finder.

[0047] Figs. 19A and 19B are respectively a simplified side sectional view and perspective view of the hybrid scanner of Fig. 15A or 15B housed in a narrow bodied, single windowed, gun-shaped housing.

[0048] Fig. 20 depicts a goose head type housing for a hybrid scanner of Fig. 15A, 15B or 15C.

[0049] Figs. 21A-21C depict a tunnel type scanner arrangement using multiple hybrid scanners of Fig. 15A, 15B or 15C.

[0050] Fig. 22 depicts a truck mounting arrangement using multiple hybrid scanners of Fig. 15A, 15B or 15C.

[0051] Fig. 23 depicts an aircraft mounting arrangement using multiple hybrid scanners of Fig. 15A, 15B or 15C.

[0052] Figs. 24A-24C depict symbols conforming to conventional matrix array and other symbologies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Figs. 1-4 of the drawings refer to the arrangement set forth in US-A-5,130,520. Reference numeral 10 generally identifies a light-weight, narrow-bodied, streamlined, narrow-snouted, hand-held, fully portable, easy-to-manipulate, non-arm-and-wrist-fatiguing, twin-windowed laser scanning head supportable entirely by a user for use in an optical scanning system operative for reading, scanning and/or analyzing optically encoded symbols or other indicia. Such symbols may, for example, comprise a series of lines and spaces of varying widths or any array of geometric shapes, which pattern decodes to a multiple-digit representation characteristic of the product bearing the symbol.

[0054] The head 10 includes a generally gun-shaped housing having a handle portion 12 and an elongated narrow-bodied barrel or body portion 14. The handle portion 12 has a cross-sectional dimension and overall size such that it can conveniently fit in the palm of a user's hand. Both the body and handle portions are constituted of a light-weight, resilient, shock-resistant, self-supporting. material, such as a synthetic plastic material. The plastic housing is preferably injection-molded, but can be vacuum-formed or blow-molded to form a thin shell which is hollow and bounds an interior space whose volume measures less than a value which is on the order of 820 cm³ (50 cubic inches). The specific value of 820 cm³ (50 cubic inches) is not intended to be self-limiting, but has been provided merely to give an approximation of the overall maximum volume and size of the head 10. The overall volume can be less than 820 cm³ (50 cubic inches) and, indeed, in some applications, the volume is on the order of 410 cm³ (25 cubic inches).

[0055] The body portion 14 is generally horizontally elongated along a longitudinal axis, and has a front region 16 at the front end, a raised rear region 18 at the rear end, and an intermediate body region 20 extending between the front and rear regions. The body portion 14 has a top wall 11 above which the raised rear region 18 projects, a bottom wall 13 below the top wall, a pair of opposed side walls 15, 17 spaced transversely apart of each other by a predetermined width dimension, a front wall or nose 19, and a rear wall 21 spaced rearwardly of the front wall.

[0056] A light source means, i.e., laser tube 22 having an anode or output end 28 and a cathode or non-output end 25, is mounted within the body portion 14 lengthwise along the longitudinal axis, and is operative for generating an incident collimated laser beam. An optic means, i.e., an optic train, is likewise mounted within the body portion, and is operative for directing the incident beam along a light path towards a reference plane located exteriorly of the housing in the vicinity of the front region 16, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A symbol to be read is located in the vicinity of the reference plane, that is, anywhere within the depth of focus of the incident beam as described below, and the light reflected from the symbol constitutes reflected light from the laser beam which is directed along a light path away from the reference plane and back towards the housing.

[0057] As best shown in Fig. 1D the optic train includes an optical bench 24, a negative or concave lens 26 which is fixedly mounted in a cylindrical bore 25 of the bench, a light-reflecting mirror 26' which is fixedly mounted on an inclined surface 29 of the bench, a positive or convex lens 30 which is adjustably mounted on the bench by means of a set screw 31, and still another light-reflecting mirror 32 which is adjustably mounted on a bendable metal bracket 33.

[0058] The optical bench 24 has an enlarged cylindrical recess 35 which communicates with the smaller bore 25. The laser tube 22 is snugly received in a cylindrical support sleeve 34 which, in turn, is snugly received in the bore 25. An electrically conductive element or washer 36 is located at the shoulder between the recess 35 and bore 25. The washer 36 makes an electro-mechanical, non-soldered contact with the output end 23 of the tube. Another electrically conductive element, preferably a resilient wire 38, is mounted at the non-output end 25 of the tube. The wire 38 has one coiled end looped around the non-output end 25, an intermediate taut wire portion extending lengthwise of the tube, and its other end is fixedly secured to the bench 24 by the set screw 37. The wire 38 is preferably made of resilient, spring-like material, and its tautness functions much like a spring or biasing means for affirmatively urging the output end 23 into affirmative, electro-mechanical contact with the washer 36. The non-output end 25 is grounded via the wire 38; and a high voltage power wire (not shown) from the power supply component 40 mounted in the handle portion 12 is electrically connected to a ballast resistor 42 mounted in another bore formed in the bench 24. The ballast resistor is, in turn, electrically connected to the washer 36 by a wire, not illustrated for the sake of clarity. It will be noted that neither the output nor non-output end of the tube is directly soldered to any electrical wire, a feature which is highly desirable in effecting on-site tube replacement. The bore 25 and recess 35 are mechanically bore-sighted so that the laser output beam is automatically optically aligned with the optic train when the sleeve-supported tube and output end are fully inserted into the recess 35 and bore 25, respectively.

[0059] The bench 24 is a one-piece light-weight part machined or preferably molded by inexpensive mass-production techniques of a dimensionally stable, flame-retardant material, such as Delrin (Trademark), or glass-filled Noryl (Trademark), preferably having a high dielectric breakdown (on the order of 500 volts/mil). In order to take into account the slight variations in beam alignment which unavoidably result from different tubes and from tolerance variations in the tube itself, the bore 25, and the recess 35, the very weak negative lens 26 (on the order of - 24 mm) is mounted very close to the output end of the tube, and all the elements in the optical path are made large enough to allow the beam to pass unobstructedly even if the beam is not exactly on center. The close mounting of the weak lens 26, and the short optical path (about 38 mm) between lenses 26 and 30, mean that the optical tolerances in the remainder of the beam path can still be off by about 1/2 without sacrificing system performance. This provides the advantage that the bench can be inexpensively mass-produced with practical tolerances.

[0060] Thus the beam emitted from the output end 23 first passes through the negative lens 26 which functions to diverge the initially collimated beam. Then, the divergent beam impinges the mirror 26, and is thereupon reflected laterally to impinge the mirror 28, whereupon the beam is reflected upwardly to pass through the positive lens 30 which is operative to converge the divergent beam to a generally circular spot of approximately an 0.203-0.254 mm (8 mil to 10 mil) diameter at the reference plane. The spot size remains approximately constant throughout the depth of focus at either side of the reference plane. The converging beam from the lens 30 impinges on the adjustable mirror 32, and is thereupon laterally reflected to a scanning mirror 44 which forms part of the scanning means.

[0061] The scanning means is preferably a high-speed scanner motor 46 of the type shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,387,297. For purposes of this patent, it is sufficient to point out that the scanner motor 46 has an output shaft 41 on which a support plate 43 is fixedly mounted. The scanning mirror 44 is fixedly mounted on the plate 43. The motor 46 is driven to reciprocally and repetitively oscillate the shaft in alternate circumferential directions over arc lengths of any desired size, typically less than 360°, and at a rate of speed on the order of a plurality of oscillations per second. Preferably, the scanning mirror 44 and the shaft are jointly oscillated so that the scanning mirror repetitively sweeps the beam impinging thereon through an angular distance A or an arc length of about 25 degrees and at a rate of about 40 oscillations per second.

[0062] Stop means, i.e., an abutment 48, is fixedly mounted on a bracket 49 which is, in turn, mounted on the bench 24. The abutment 48 is located in the path of oscillating movement of the plate 43 supporting the scanning mirror 44, for preventing the mirror from making a complete 360 rotation during shipping. The abutment never strikes the mirror during scanning; the abutment serves to keep the mirror properly aligned, that is, always facing towards the front of the head.

[0063] The scanning motor 46 is mounted on the bench 24 slightly offset from the longitudinal axis. Other miniature scanning elements can be utilized. For example, miniature polygons driven by motors can be used, or the various bimorph scanning oscillating elements described in U.S. Patent No. 4,251,798 can be used, or a penta-bimorph element can be used, or a miniature polygon element can be used.

[0064] Although only a single scanner element is shown in the drawings for cyclically sweeping the laser beam across the symbol along a predetermined direction (X-axis scanning) lengthwise thereof, it will be understood that another scanner element may be mounted in the head for sweeping the symbol along a transverse direction (Y-axis scanning) which is substantially orthogonal to the predetermined direction. In some applications, multiple line scanning is preferred. Other alternative configurations could be used to provide both x and y BX13 scanning with a single scanner element. Using x and y scanning a raster, omni-directional or other scan pattern can, as desired, be formed.

[0065] Referring again to Figs. 1-2, the scanning mirror 44 is mounted in the light path of the incident beam at the rear region of the head, and the motor 46 is operative for cyclically sweeping the incident beam through an angular distance A over a field of view across the symbol located in the vicinity of the reference planes. A laser light-transmissive scan window 50 is mounted on the raised rear region 18, behind an opening 51 formed therein in close adjacent confronting relationship with the scanning mirror 44 thereat. As used throughout the specification and claims herein, the term "close adjacent confronting" relationship between components is defined to mean that one component is proximally located relative to the other component, typically less than one inch apart of each other. As shown in Fig. 1A, the scan window 50 is configured and positioned in the light path of the incident beam to permit the latter coming from the scanning mirror 44 to travel a distance of less than one inch within the raised rear region 18, and then to pass through the scan window 50, and thereupon to travel unobstructedly and exteriorly of and past the intermediate body region 20 and the front region 16 of the housing, and then to impinge on the symbol located at or near the reference plane.

[0066] The closer the scanning mirror 44 is to the scan window 50, the larger will be the field of view of the swept incident beam for a given scan angle. It will be noted that the width dimension of the scan window represents a limiting factor for the sweep of the incident beam, because the housing walls bounding the scan window would clip and block any beam which was swept beyond the width of the scan window. Hence, as a rule, the scanning mirror is made as close as possible to the scan window to optimize the field of view of the swept incident beam.

[0067] As best shown in Fig. 2, the field of view of the swept incident beam is substantially independent of the width of the body portion 14 and, in fact, the field of view, i.e., the transverse beam dimension, of the swept incident beam is actually larger than the width of the body portion 14 at the front region 16 and at the forward section of the intermediate body region 20. This is, of course, due to the fact that the swept incident beam has been transmitted outside of the front and intermediate body regions of the housing. The side walls 15, 17 are not in the light path and do not clip or block the swept incident beam. The scan window 50 is mounted on the rear region 18 at an elevation above the top wall 11 to permit an overhead unobstructed transmission.

[0068] Preferably, the width of the body portion 14 is on the order of 4.45 cm (1 3/4 inches), whereas the field of view at the reference plane is on the order of 8.89 cm (3 1/2 inches). In prior art wide-bodied designs, the width of the housing was greater than 8.89 cm (3 1/2 inches in order to obtain a 8.89 cm (3 1/2 inch) field of view for a given scan angle. Hence, the exterior transmission of the swept incident beam permits the head to have a narrow-bodied streamlined configurations. The side walls 15, 17 need no longer diverge outwardly towards the front as in prior art designs to accommodate the swept beam, but can be made substantially parallel as shown, or in any other desired shape.

[0069] Preferably, the reference plane is located about 5.08 cm (2 inches) from the front wall 19 of the head, and is located a linear distance of about 24.13cm (9 1/2 inches) from the positive lens 30. The depth of field at the reference plane is about 6.98 cm (2 3/4 inches) on either side of the reference plane. These numerical figures are not intended to be self-limiting, but are merely exemplary.

[0070] A laser light-transmissive non-scan window 52 is mounted on the front wall 19 in close adjacent confronting relationship with the sensor means 54 located at the front region 16. The sensor means 54 is operative for detecting the intensity of the light in the reflected beam coming from the symbol over a field of view across the same, and for generating an electrical analog signal indicative of the detected light intensity. In order to increase the zone of coverage of the sensor means, a pair of sensor elements or photodiodes 54a, 54b are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The sensor elements lie in intersecting planes and face both forwardly and laterally. The front wall 19 is likewise constituted of a pair of tapered wall portions 19a, 19b, each of which has an opening 53a, 53b formed therein. A pair of non-scan window portions 52a, 52b is fixedly mounted behind the openings 52a, 52b, respectively. Each non-scan window portion is mounted in close adjacent confronting relationship with its respective sensor element. The non-scan window portions are configured and positioned in the light path of the reflected beam to permit the latter to pass therethrough to the sensor elements. Two small non-scan window portions are preferably utilized, rather than a single non-scan window, because two smaller windows are inherently stronger than one due to the greater perimeter that two windows provide.

[0071] The scan window 50 is located rearwardly of the non-scan window 52. Each window 50, 52 is located at a different distance from the reference plane and the front wall 19. The scan window 50 is elevated above the non-scan window 52, as described above. The non-scan window portions are located at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The scan window is located on the longitudinal axis.

[0072] A printed circuit board 59 is mounted within the body portion 14, and various electrical sub-circuits diagrammatically represented by reference numerals 55, 56, 57, 58 are provided on the board 59. Signal processing means 55 is operative to process the analog signal generated by the sensor elements to a digitized signal to generate therefrom data descriptive of the symbol. Suitable signal processing means for this purpose was described in U.S. Patent No. 4,251,798. Subcircuit 56 constitutes drive circuitry for the scanner motor 46. Suitable motor drive circuitry for this purpose was described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,387,297. Sub-circuits 57 and 58 constitute a safety circuit for the laser tube, and voltage regulator circuitry. Suitable circuitry for this purpose were also described in U.S. Patent No. 4,387,237.

[0073] Shock mounting means are mounted at the front end rear regions of the body portion, for shock mounting the laser, optical and scanning components within the body portion. An annular shock collar 60, preferably of rubber material, surrounds the forward end of the tube 22 and engages the bottom wall 13 and the underside of the circuit board 59. Board support elements 61a, 61b extend downwardly of the top wall 11 to rigidly support the circuit board 59. A pair of rubber shock mounts 62 are fixedly mounted on opposite sides of the optical bench 24, and respectively engage the side walls 15, 17 at the rear region 18 of the housing. The shock mounts 62 and the collar 60 are spaced longitudinally apart of each other and engage the thin-walled housing at three spaced locations to isolate twisting of the housing from the laser optical and scanning components.

[0074] Electrical power is supplied to the laser tube 22 by the power supply component 40 mounted within the handle portion 12. The power supply component which steps up from a 12 volt DC battery voltage to over 1 kilovolt is the heaviest component in the head, and its mounting in the handle portion allows for a low center of gravity and for better balance of the head.

[0075] A non-bulky, collapsible, coil-type cable 66 as shown in Fig. 2, electrically connects the head 10 to the remainder of the scanning system, which includes a battery-powered decode module 68 and a host computer 70. The coil-type cable 66 is readily flexible and permits user manipulation of the head 10 with multiple freedoms of movement from one symbol to the next without requiring excessive strength by the user. The cable 66 includes a plurality of conductive wires which are all relatively thin and flexible. For example, one wire carries the 12 volt DC low voltage signal from the battery in the decode module 68 to the power component 40. Another wire carries the digitized signal from the analog-to-digital signal processing circuitry 55 to the decode module 68 for decoding purposes. This latter wire is non-radio-frequency-shielded, and hence, is readily flexible. The remaining wires carry low voltage control and communication signals. All of the wires of the cable 66 are connected together to a common plug-type connector 72. A mating connector 74 is mounted within the head, receives the connector 72 in a mating relationship. The use of the mating connectors 72, 74 permits rapid replacement of the cable for on-site repairs. The electrical connections between the connector 74 and the various components in the head have been omitted from the drawings for the sake of clarity.

[0076] The decode module 68 processes the digitized signal generated in the head, and calculates the desired data, e.g. the multiple digit representation or code of the symbol, in accordance with an algorithm contained in a software program. The decode module 68 includes a PROM for holding the control program, a RAM for temporary data storage, and a microprocessor which controls the PROM and RAM and does the desired calculations. The decode module also includes control circuitry for controlling the actuatable components in the head as described below, as well as two-way communications circuitry for communicating with the head and/or with the host computer 70. The host computer 70 is essentially a large data base, and provides information relating to the decoded symbol. For example, the host computer can provide retail price information corresponding to the decoded symbols.

[0077] A manually-actuatable trigger switch 76 is mounted on the head in the region where the handle portion 12 is joined to the body portion 14. Depression of the trigger switch 76 is operative to turn the microprocessor in the decode module on. Upon release of the trigger switch, the spring 78 restores the switch to its initial position, and the microprocessor is turned off. In turn, the microprocessor is electrically connected to the actuatable components in the head via the cable 66 to actuate and deactuate the actuatable components when the microprocessor is respectively turned on or off by the trigger switch.

[0078] In prior art heads, the trigger switch was only operative to turn the laser tube and/or scanner motor on or off. Now, the trigger switch turns the microprocessor on or off and, in turn, all of the actuatable components in the head on or off. The microprocessor is a large power drain on the battery built into the decode module. Hence, by controlling the on-time of the microprocessor to only those times when a symbol is being read, that is, when the trigger switch is depressed, the power drain is substantially reduced, and the battery life substantially increased (over 5 hours).

[0079] The microprocessor may be turned on or off by means of the host computer 70 which is remote from the head 10. The computer 70 typically includes a keyboard and a display. Once a user makes an entry on the keyboard, for example, by entering the identity of the code to be decoded, the computer requests the microprocessor to turn itself on, store the information, and then to turn itself off. The microprocessor, again, is on only for so long as is necessary to comply with the computer request. The trigger switch and the keyboard computer entry are independently operable means for directly controlling the microprocessor, and for indirectly controlling the actuatable components in the head.

[0080] Another useful feature in having the microprocessor, rather than the trigger switch, directly control the laser tube is to keep an accurate record of laser on-time for governmental record keeping. It is, of course, far easier to keep track of laser on-time in the software of a microprocessor than to manually record the laser on-time. Using the microprocessor, the laser tube might be activated only after a satisfactory read of one symbol and until another symbol is properly read. Alternatively, the laser tube could remain activated until a predetermined period of time passes without a decode.

[0081] A set of visual indicators or lamps 80, 82, 84 is also mounted on the circuit board 59, each lamp being positioned below a corresponding opening in the top wall 11. The lamps are operative to visually indicate to the user the status of the scanning system. For example, lamp 80 illuminates whenever the laser tube is energized, thereby continuously advising the user whether the tube is on or off. Lamp 82 illuminates when a successful decode has been obtained. It will be recalled that the incident beam is swept over a symbol at a rate of about 40 scans per second. The reflected beam may be successfully decoded on the first scan, or on any of the successive scans. Whenever a successful scan has been obtained, the microprocessor will cause the lamp 84 to be illuminated to advise the user that the head is ready to read another symbol.

[0082] It is believed that the operation of the scanning system is self-evident from the foregoing, but by way of brief review, the gun-shaped head is grasped by its handle portion, and its barrel is aimed at the symbol to be read. The sighting of the symbol is facilitated by the fact that the barrel is narrow-bodied, and that there are no obstructions on the front and intermediate body regions of the barrel. The front wall of the barrel is situated close to the symbol, it being understood that the symbol can be located anywhere in the depth of field at either side of the reference plane.

[0083] The trigger switch is then depressed, thereby causing the microprocessor to energize the laser tube, the scanner motor, the sensor elements, and all the electronic circuitry provided on the printed circuit board. The laser tube emits a beam, which is then routed through the optic train as described above, and thereupon, the scanning mirror reflects the beam through the scan window and out of the head exteriorly of and past the front and intermediate body regions of the body portion of the head. The reflected beam light passes through the non-scan window portions to the sensor elements and is subsequently processed by the signal processing circuitry. The processed signal is conducted to the decode module for decoding. Once a successful decode has been realized, the microprocessor illuminates the lamp 82 and if desired may deactuate the head, and the user is now advised by illumination by lamp 84 that the head is ready to be aimed at another symbol. The flexibility of the coil-type cable facilitates the movement of the head to the next symbol.

[0084] In addition, the movement of the head from one symbol to the next is facilitated by the relatively low weight of the head. The head with all the aforementioned components therein weighs less than 0.454 Kg (one pound).

[0085] Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, reference numeral 130 generally identifies a gun-shaped, laserless, twin-windowed head analogous to the previous heads 10, 100, except as noted below. To simplify the description of head 130, like parts previously described in connection with the earlier arrangement have been identified with like reference numerals. One major distinction of the head 130 is that the incident beam is not swept, but is transmitted from the front of the housing, and that it is the reflected beam that is preferably swept over its field of view. Put another way, the sensor means preferably a linear array of charge coupled devices or a two-dimensional array of solid state imaging devices sweeps across the symbol. It will be understood, however, that if desired the sensor could be provided with the capability to operate in either or both scanning and non-scanning modes with the appropriate operation being selectable to the suitability for the particular function, e.g. reading, ambient light detection, range finding, to which the sensor is directed. When operating in a scanning mode, the sensor may scan the field of view at a rate which can be faster or substantially slower than the scanning light beam scan. The sensor may be controlled to scan the field of view periodically. It is the reflected beam that unobstructedly travels exteriorly of and past the front and intermediate body regions of the housing.

[0086] Rather than a laser tube or laser diode, the laserless head 130 comprises a light source 132 which includes a pair of light source elements 132a, 132b at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, each light source element facing both forwardly, upwardly and laterally to emit a light beam. Again, the light source elements need not generate a laser beam but are operative to generate any type of light beam, and may constitute high-powered LED's (30-100 mW) or a miniature quartz halogen bulb. The incident light beam passes through a light transmissive front non-scan window 152 located at the front region 16 of the body portion 20 of the head in close adjacent confronting relationship with the light source elements 132a, 132b thereat. In a variant from non-scan window 52, the non-scan window 152 is a wrap-around window which extends transversely along the front wall and also partially along the side walls of the head. After passing through the non-scan window 152, the incident beam illuminates the symbol. It is preferable if the incident beam is directed slightly upwardly, such that the reflected beam will be directed, as shown, that is, exteriorly of and past the front region 16 and intermediate body region 20 above the top wall of the body portion. The reflected beam passes through the raised rear scan window 150 and impinges on the scanning mirror 44 which is being repetitively oscillated by the scanner motor 46 to scan the field of view of the reflected beam across the symbol. The swept reflected beam is thereupon directed towards the light-reflecting mirror 134 which is adjustably mounted on a bendable mounting bracket 136 on a sensor optic tube 138. The mirror 134 is positioned in the light path of the reflected beam to direct the reflected light off the mirror 44 through the sensor optics tube 138 to the sensor means 140 mounted within the body portion 14 at the rear region 18 of the head.

[0087] As best shown in Fig. 4, the reflected light beam is swept over a transverse beam dimension which is larger than the width of the body portion. Hence, here again, the field of view of the swept reflected beam is substantially independent of the barrel width.

[0088] Figs. 5-7 of the drawings refer to the arrangement set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,250,792. Reference numeral 910 generally identifies a lightweight (less than one pound), narrow-bodied, streamlined, narrow-snouted, hand-held, fully portable, easy-to-manipulate, non-arm-and-wrist fatiguing laser scanning system operative for reading, scanning and/or analyzing symbols, and amiable both prior to, and during, the reading thereof, by the user at the symbols, each symbol in its turn.

[0089] The head 910 includes a generally gun-shaped housing having a handle portion 912 of generally rectangular cross-section and generally vertically elongated along a handle axis, and a generally horizontally elongated, narrow-bodied barrel or body portion 914. The cross-sectional dimension and overall size of the handle portion 912 is such that conveniently can fit and be held in a user's hand. The body and handle portions are constituted of a lightweight, resilient, shock-resistant, self-supporting material, such as a synthetic plastic material. The plastic housing preferably is injection-molded, but can be vacuum-formed or blow-molded to form a thin, hollow shell which bounds an interior space whose volume measures less than a value on the order of 820 cm³ (50 cubic inches) and, in some applications, the volume is on the order of 410 cm³ (25 cubic inches) or less. Such specific values are not intended to be self-limiting, but to provide a general approximation of the overall maximum size and volume of the head 910.

[0090] As considered in an intended position of use as shown in Figs. 5-7, the body portion 914 has a front prow region having an upper front wall 916 and a lower front wall 918 which forwardly converge toward each other and meet at a nose portion 920 which lies at the foremost part of the head. The body portion 914 also has a rear region having a rear wall 922 spaced rearwardly of the front walls 916, 918. The body portion 914 also has a top wall 924, a bottom wall 926 below the top wall 924, and a pair of opposed side walls 928, 930 that lie in mutual parallelism between the top and bottom walls.

[0091] A manually-actable, and preferably depressive, trigger 932 is mounted for pivoting movement about a pivot axis 934 on the head in a forwardly-facing region where the handle and body portions meet and where the user's forefinger normally lies when the user grips the handle portion in the intended position of use. The bottom wall 926 has a tubular neck portion 936 which extends downwardly along the handle axis, and terminates in a radially-inwardly extending collar portion 938 of generally rectangular cross-section. The neck and collar portions have a forwardly-facing slot through which the trigger 932 projects and is moved.

[0092] The handle portion 912 has a radially-outwardly extending upper flange portion 940 of generally rectangular cross-section which also has a forwardly-facing slot through which the trigger 32 projects and is moved. The upper flange portion 940 is resilient and deflectable in a radially-inward direction. When the upper flange portion 940 is inserted into the neck portion 936, the upper flange portion 940 bears against the collar portion 938 and is radially-inwardly deflected until the flange portion 940 clears the collar portion 938, at which time, the upper flange portion 940, due to its inherent resilience, snaps back to its initial undeflected position and engages behind the collar portion with a snap-type locking action. To disengage the handle portion from the body portion, the upper part of the handle portion is sufficiently deflected until the upper flange portion 940 again clears the collar portion, and thereupon the handle portion can be withdrawn from the neck portion 936. In this manner, handle portion 912 can be detachably snap-mounted and de-mounted from the body portion 914 and, as explained below, another handle portion from a set of interchangeable handle portions, each containing different components of the laser scanning system, may be mounted to the body portion to adapt the head 910 to different user requirements.

[0093] A plurality of components are mounted in the head and, as explained below, at least some of them are actuated by the trigger 932, either directly or indirectly, by means of a control microprocessor. One of the head components is an actuable laser light source, e.g. a semiconductor laser diode 942 operative, when actuated by the trigger 932, for propagating and generating an incident laser beam whose light, as explained above, is "invisible" or non-readily visible to the user, is highly divergent, is non-radially symmetrical, is generally oval in cross-section, and has a wavelength above 7000, e.g. about 7800m Angstrom units. Advantageously, the diode 942 is commercially available from many sources, e.g. from the Sharp Corporation as its Model No. LT020MC. The diode may be of the continuous wave or pulse type. The diode 942 requires a low voltage, e.g. 12v DC or less, supplied by a battery (DC) source which may be provided within the head, or by a rechargeable battery pack accessory detachably mounted on the head, or by a power conductor in a cable 946, see Fig. 5 connected to the head from an external power supply, e.g. DC source.

[0094] The aperture stop 956 is positioned in the center of the laser diode beam so that the intensity of light is approximately uniform in the planes both perpendicular and parallel to the p-n junction, i.e. the emitter, of the diode 942. It will be noted that, due to the non-radial symmetry of the laser diode beam, the light intensity in the plane perpendicular to the p-n junction is brightest in the center of the beam and then falls off in the radially outward direction. The same is true in the plane parallel to the p-n junction, but the intensity falls off at a different rate. Hence, by positioning a preferably circular, small aperture in the center of a laser diode beam having an oval, larger cross-section, the oval beam cross-section at the aperture will be modified to one that is generally circular, and the light intensity in both of the planes perpendicular and parallel to the p-n junction approximately is constant. The aperture stop preferably reduces the numerical aperture of the optical assembly to below 0.05, and permits the single lens 958 to focus the laser beam at the reference plane.

[0095] Preferably, the approximate distance between the emitter of the laser diode 942 and the aperture stop 956 ranges from about 9.7 mm. The focal distance of the lens 958 ranges from about 9.5 mm to about 9.7 mm. If the aperture stop 956 is circular, then its diameter is about 1.2 mm. If the aperture stop 956 is rectangular, then its dimensions are about 1 mm by about 2 mm. The beam cross-section is about 3.0 mm by about 9.3 mm just before the beam passes through the aperture stop 956. These merely exemplary distances and sizes enable the optical assembly to modify the laser diode.

[0096] As best shown in Fig. 8, a representative symbol 9100 in the vicinity of the reference plane is shown and, in the case of a bar code symbol, is comprised of a series of vertical bars spaced apart of one another along a longitudinal direction. The reference numeral 9106 denotes the generally circular, invisible, laser spot subtended by the symbol. The laser spot 9106 in Fig. 8 is shown in an instantaneous position, since the scanning mirror 966, when actuated by the trigger 32, is, as explained below, reciprocally and repetitively oscillated transversely to sweep the incident laser beam lengthwise across all the bars of the symbol in a linear scan. The laser spots 9106a and 9106b in Fig. 8 denote the instantaneous end positions of the linear scan. The linear scan can be located anywhere along the height of the bars provided that all the bars are swept. The length of the linear scan is longer than the length of the longest symbol expected to be read and, in a preferred case, the linear scan is on the order of 12.7 cm (5 inches) at the reference plane.

[0097] The scanning mirror 966 is mounted on a scanning means, preferably a high-speed scanner motor 970 of the type shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,387,397. For the purposes of this application, it is believed to be sufficient to point out that the scanner motor 970 has an output shaft 972 on which a support bracket 974 is fixedly mounted. The scanning mirror 966 is fixedly mounted on the bracket 974. The motor 970 is driven to reciprocally and repetitively oscillate the shaft 972 in alternate circumferential directions over arc lengths of any desired size, typically less than 360 degrees, and at a rate of speed on the order of a plurality of oscillations per second. Preferably, the scanning mirror 966 and the shaft 972 jointly are oscillated so that the scanning mirror 966 repetitively sweeps the incident laser diode beam impinging thereon through an angular distance or arc length at the reference plane of about 32 degrees and at a rate of about 40 scans or 20 oscillations per second.

[0098] Referring again to Fig. 6, the returning portion of the reflected laser light has a variable light intensity, due to the different light-reflective properties of the various parts that comprise the symbol 9100, over the symbol during the scan. The returning portion of the reflected laser light is collected by a generally concave, spherical collecting mirror 976, and is a broad conical stream of light in a conical collecting volume bounded, as shown in Fig. 6, by upper and lower boundary lines 9108, 9110, and, as shown in Fig. 7, by opposed size boundary lines 9112, 9114. The collecting mirror 976 reflects the collected conical light into the head along an optical axis 9116 as shown in Fig. 7, along the second optical path through a laser-light-transmissive element 978 to a sensor means, e.g. a photosensor 980. The collected conical laser light directed to the photosensor 980 is bounded by upper and lower boundary lines 9118, 9120 as shown in Fig. 6 and by opposed side boundary lines 9122, 9124, as shown Fig. 7. The photosensor 980, preferably a linear charge coupled or two-dimensional solid state imaging device or could have a photodiode, detects by sensing or imaging the variable intensity of the collected laser light over a field of view which extends along, and preferably beyond, the linear scan, and generates an electrical analog signal indicative of the detected variable light intensity. The linear charge coupled device is arranged within the scanner housing so that the long dimension of the charge coupled device will be parallel to the scanning light beam.

[0099] Referring again to Fig. 8, the reference numeral 9126 denotes an instantaneous collection zone subtended by the symbol 9100 and from which the instantaneous laser spot 9106 reflects. Put another way, the photosensor 980 "sees" the collection zone 9126 when the laser spot 9106 impinges the symbol. The collecting mirror 976 is mounted on the support bracket 974 and, when the scanner motor 970 is actuated by the trigger 932, the collecting mirror 976 is reciprocally and repetitively oscillated transversely, sweeping the field of view of the photodiode lengthwise across the symbol in a linear scan. The collection zones 9126a, 9126b denote the instantaneous end positions of the linear scan of the field of view.

[0100] The scanning mirror 966 and the collecting mirror 976 are, in one example, of one-piece construction and, as shown in Fig. 7, are light-reflecting layers or coatings applied to a pleno-convex lens constituted of a light-transmissive material, preferably glass. The lens has a first outer substantially planar surface on a portion of which a first light-reflecting layer is coated to constitute the planar scanning mirror 966, and a second outer generally spherical surface on which a second light-reflecting layer is coated to constitute the concave collecting mirror 976 as a so-called "second surface spherical mirror."

[0101] The scanning mirror 966 can also be a discrete, small planar mirror attached by glue, or molded in place, at the correct position and angle on a discrete, front surfaced, silvered concave mirror. As described below, the concave collecting mirror 976 serves not only to collect the returning portion of the laser light and to focus the same on the photodiode 980, but also to focus and direct an aiming light beam exteriorly of the head.

[0102] Also mounted in the head is a pair or more of printed circuit boards 984, 986 on which various electrical subcircuits are mounted. For example, signal processing means having components 983 and 985 on board 984 are operative for processing the analog electrical signal generated by the sensor 980, and for generating a digitized video signal. Data descriptive of the symbol can be derived from the video signal. Suitable signal processing means for this purpose was described in U.S. Patent No. 4,251,798. Components 987 and 989 on board 986 constitute drive circuitry for the scanner motor 970, and suitable motor drive circuitry for this purpose was described in U.S. Patent No. 4,387,297. Component 991 on board 986 constitutes an aiming light controller subcircuit whose operation is described below. Component 993 on board 948, on which the diode 942 and sensor 980 are mounted, is a voltage converter for converting the incoming voltage to one suitable for energizing the laser diode 942.

[0103] The digitized video signal is conducted to an electrical interlock composed of a socket 988 provided on the body portion 914, and a mating plug 990 provided on the handle portion 912. The plug 990 automatically electromechanically mates with the socket 988 when the handle portion is mounted to the body portion. Also mounted within the handle portion are a pair of circuit boards 992, 994, as shown Fig. 5 on which various components are mounted. For example, a decode/control means comprised of components 995, 997 and others are operative for decoding the digitized video signal to a digitized decoded signal from which the desired data descriptive of the symbol is obtained, in accordance with an algorithm contained in a software control program. The decode/control means includes a PROM for holding the control program, a RAM for temporary data storage, and a control microprocessor for controlling the PROM and RAM. The decode/control means determines when a successful decoding of the symbol has been obtained, and also terminates the reading of the symbol upon the determination of the successful decoding thereof. The initiation of the reading is caused by depression of the trigger 932. The decode/control means also includes control circuitry for controlling the actuation of the actuatable components in the head, as initiated by the trigger, as well as for communicating with the user that the reading has been automatically determined as, for example, by sending a control signal to an indicator lamp 996 to illuminate the same.

[0104] The decoded signal is conducted, in one example, along a signal conductor in the cable 946 to a remote, host computer 9128 which serves essentially as a large data base, stores the decoded signal and, in some cases, provides information related to the decoded signal. For example, the host computer can provide retail price information corresponding to the objects identified by their decoded symbols.

[0105] In another example, a local data storage means, e.g. component 995, is mounted in the handle portion, and stores multiple decoded signals which have been read. The stored decoded signals thereupon can be unloaded to a remote host computer. By providing the local data storage means, the use of the cable 946 during the reading of the symbols can be eliminated.

[0106] As noted previously, the handle portion 912 may be one of a set of handles which may be interchangeably mounted to the body portion. In one example, the handle portion may be left vacant, in which case, the video signal is conducted along the cable 946 for decoding in a remote decode/control means. In another example, only the decode/control means may be contained within the handle portion, in which case, the decoded signal is conducted along the cable 946 for storage in a remote host computer. In still another example, the decode/control means and a local data storage means may be contained within the handle portion, in which case, the stored decoded signals from a plurality of readings thereupon may be unloaded in a remote host computer, the cable 946 only being connected to unload the stored signal.

[0107] Alternatively, rather than providing a set of removable handles, a single handle can be non-detachably fixed to the head and, in this event, different components mounted on removable circuit boards 992 and 994 may be provided, as desired, within the single handle by removing, and thereupon replacing, the removable handle end 9128.

[0108] As for electrically powering the laser diode 942, as well as the various components in the head requiring electrical power, a voltage signal may be conveyed along a power conductor in the cable 946, and a converter, such as component 993, may be employed to convert the incoming voltage signal to whatever voltage values are required. In those arrangements in which the cable 946 was eliminated during the reading of the symbols, a rechargeable battery pack assembly is detachably snap-mounted at the bottom of the handle portion 912.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 9, an aiming light arrangement is mounted within the head for assisting the user in visually locating, and in aiming the head at, each symbol to be read in its turn, particularly in the situation described above wherein the laser beam incident on, and reflected from, the symbol is not readily visible to the user. The aiming light arrangement comprises means including an actuatable aiming light source 9130, e.g. a visible light-emitting diode (LED), an incandescent white light source, a xenon flash tube, etc., mounted in the head and operatively connected to the trigger 932. When actuated either directly by the trigger 932 or indirectly by the decode/control means, the aiming light 9130 propagates and generates a divergent aiming light beam whose light is readily visible to the user, and whose wavelength is about 6600 Angstrom units, so that the aiming light beam generally is red in color and thus contrasts with the ambient white light of the environment in which the symbol is located.

[0110] Aiming means also are mounted in the head for directing the aiming light beam along an aiming light path from the aiming light source toward the reference plane and to each symbol, visibly illuminating at least a part of the respective symbol. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the aiming light 9130 is mounted on an inclined support 9132 for directing the generally conical aiming light beam at the optical element 978. The conical aiming light beam is bounded by upper and lower boundary lines and by opposed side boundary lines in route to the optical element 978. As previously noted, the optical element 978 permits the collected laser light to pass therethrough to the photosensor 980, and filters out ambient light noise from the environment from reaching the photosensor. The optical element 978 also reflects the aiming light beam impinging thereon. The optical element is, in effect, a so-called "cold" mirror which reflects light in wavelengths in the range of the aiming light beam, but transmits light in wavelengths in the range of the laser light. The aiming light beam is reflected from the cold mirror 978 along an optical axis which is substantially collinear with the optical axis 9116 of the collected laser light between the collecting mirror 976 and the photosensor 980, and impinges on the concave mirror 976 which serves to focus and forwardly reflect the aiming light beam along an optical axis which is substantially collinear with the same optical axis of the collected laser light between the concave mirror 976 and the symbol 9100. The concave mirror 976 which serves as a focusing mirror for the aiming light beam focuses the same to about a one-half inch circular spot size at a distance about 8 inches to about 10 inches from the nose 20 of the head. It will be noted that the portion of the aiming light path which lies exteriorly of the head coincides with the portion of the collected laser light path which lies exteriorly of the head so that the photosensor 980, in effect, "sees" the non-readily-visible laser light reflected from that part of the symbol that has been illuminated, or rendered visible, by the aiming light beam. In another variant, the aiming light beam could have been directed to the symbol so as to be coincident with the outgoing incident laser beam by placing a cold mirror in the first optical path and directing the aiming light beam at the cold mirror so that the optical axis of the aiming light beam is coincident with that of the outgoing incident laser beam.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 9, the aiming LED 9130 may, in a first static single beam aiming arrangement, be positioned relative to a stationary directing element 9142, e.g. a focusing lens, stationarily mounted in the aiming light path within the head. The lens 9142 is operative for focusing and directing the aiming light beam to the respective symbol 9100, visibly illuminating thereon a spot region 9150, see also Fig. 10, within the field of view. The spot region 9150 preferably is circular, near the center of the symbol, and is illuminated both prior to the scan to locate the symbol before the reading thereof, and during the scan and the reading thereof. Both close-in and far-out symbols can be located and seen by the static single beam aiming arrangement of Fig. 9, the far-out symbols, due to their greater distance from the head, being illuminated to a lesser intensity, but visible, nevertheless, by the user. However, as explained previously, the fixed spot 9150 provides little assistance in terms of tracking the scan across the symbol.

[0112] Turning next to a second static twin beam aiming arrangement, as shown in Fig. 11, a pair of aiming LEDs 9130a, 9130b, each identical to aiming LED 9130, are angularly positioned relative to the stationary focusing lens 9142 which, in turn, is operative to direct the aiming light beams of both LEDs 9130a, 9130b to the same respective symbol, visibly illuminating thereon a pair of spot regions 9152 and 9154 that are within, and spaced linearly apart of each other along the field of view, see also Fig. 10. The spot regions 9152 and 9154 preferably are circular, near the ends of the scan and are illuminated both prior to and during the scan to locate and track the respective symbol both before and during the reading thereof. Both close-in and far-out symbols can be located and seen by the static twin beam aiming embodiment of Fig. 11, the far-out symbols, due to their greater distance from the head, being illuminated to a lesser intensity, but visible, nevertheless, by the user. As explained previously, the pair of fixed spots 9152 and 9154 provide valuable assistance in terms of tracking the scan across the symbol.

[0113] Turning next to a third dynamic single beam aiming arrangement and with the aid of Fig. 10, rather than stationarily mounting the focusing lens 9142 in the head, the lens 9142 may be oscillated in the manner described previously for the scanning/collecting/focusing component to sweep the aiming light beam across the respective symbol, illuminating thereon a line region 9156, see Fig. 12, extending along the field of view. The line region 9156 is illuminated during the scan to track the respective symbol during the reading thereof. Close-in symbols are well illuminated by the line region 9156, even when the scan is performed at rates of 40 scans per second; however, for far-out symbols, the greater the distance from the head and the faster the scan rage, the less visible is the line region 9156.

[0114] Returning to Figs. 5-7, a combination static/dynamic aiming arrangement is shown which is actuated by the trigger 32 among various positions or states. In Fig. 6, the trigger 32 is shown in an off state, wherein all the actuatable components in the head are deactivated. A pair of electrical switches 9158 and 9160 are mounted on the underside of board 984. Each switch 9158, 9160 has a spring-biased armature or button 9162, 9164 which, in the off state, extend out of the switches and bear against opposite end regions of a lever 9166 which is pivoted at a center-offset position at pivot point 9168 on a rear extension 9170 of the trigger 932.

[0115] When the trigger 932 is initially depressed to a first initial extent, the lever 9166 depresses only the button 9162, and the depressed switch 9158 establishes a first operational state in which the trigger 932 actuates the aiming light 9130 as shown in Figure 7 only, whose aiming light beam is thereupon reflected rearwardly off cold mirror 978 and reflected forwardly off the focusing mirror 976 to the symbol. In said first operational state, the trigger has also positioned the focusing mirror 976 in a predetermined stationary position. The stationary focusing mirror 976 directs the aiming light beam to the symbol, visibly illuminating thereon a spot region, identical to central spot region 9150 in Fig. 10 within the field of view prior to the scan to assist the user in locating the symbol before the reading thereof. The stationary positioning of the focusing mirror 976 is advantageously accomplished by energizing a DC winding of the scanning motor 970 so that the output shaft and the focusing mirror 976 mounted thereon are angularly turned to a central reference position.

[0116] Thereupon, when the trigger 932 is depressed to a second further extent, the lever 9166 depresses not only the button 9162, but also the button 9164, so that a second operational state is established. In said second operational state, the trigger actuates all the remaining actuatable components in the head, e.g. the laser diode 942, the control circuitry of the scanner motor 970 which causes the focusing mirror 976 to oscillate, and the photodiode 980, the signal processing circuitry, as well as the other circuitry in the head, to initiate a reading of the symbol. The focusing mirror 976 no longer is stationary, but is being oscillated so that the aiming light beam dynamically is swept across the symbol, visibly illuminating thereon a line region, identical to line region 9156 in Fig. 12, extending along the field of view. Hence, during the scan, the user is assisted in tracking the symbol during the reading thereof. Such symbol tracking is highly visible for close-in symbols, but less so for far-out symbols.

[0117] The aforementioned sequential actuation of the components in the head could also be done with a single two-pole switch having built-in sequential contacts.

[0118] The laser scanning head of Fig. 6 is of the retroreflective type wherein the outgoing incident laser beam, as well as the field of view of the sensor means, are scanned. For example, the outgoing incident laser beam can be directed to, and swept across, the symbol through one window on the head, while the field of view is not scanned and the returning laser light is collected through another window on the head. Also, the outgoing incident beam can be directed to, but not swept across, the symbol, while the field of view is scanned.

[0119] A variety of housing styles and shapes dictated by such considerations as aesthetics, environment, size, choice and placement of electronic and mechanical components, required shock resistance both inside and outside the housing, may be employed in place of the housing shown in the drawings.

[0120] The laser scanning head need not be hand-held, but can also be incorporated in a desk-top, stand-alone workstation, preferably underneath an overhead window or port through which the outgoing incident laser beam is directed. Although the workstation itself is stationary, at least during the scanning of the symbol, the symbol is movable relative to the workstation and must be registered with the outgoing beam and, for this purpose, the aiming light arrangement described herein is particularly advantageous.

[0121] It should be noted that the laser scanning head can read high-, and medium- and low-density bar code or other symbols within approximate working distance ranges of 1" to 6", 1" to 12", and 1" to 20", respectively. As defined herein, the high-, medium- and low-density bar code symbols would have bars and/or spaces whose smallest width is on the order of 7.5 mils, 15-20 mils and 30-40 mils, respectively. Preferably, the position of the reference plane for a symbol of a known density is optimized for the maximum working distance for that symbol.

[0122] To assist the user in aiming the head at the symbol, in addition to the aiming light arrangements described herein, other means may be provided. For example, a mechanical aiming means such as a raised sighting element formed on an upper portion of the housing and extending along the direction of the first or second optical path may be sighted along by the user. A viewpoint having a sight window may also be located on the head to enable the user to look through the sight window and thereby visually locate the symbol in the window. A sonic ranging means can also be used for finding the symbol. The ranging means emits a sonic signal, detects a returning echo signal, and actuates an auditory indicator upon such detection. The auditory indicator can sound a tone or change the rate of a series of sounds or beeps, thereby signaling the user that the symbol has been found.

[0123] It is sometimes desirable to cause the aforementioned aiming light spots on the symbol to blink, e.g. for the purpose of making the spots easier to see, or to reduce the average power consumed by the aiming light sources. Such blinking light spots can be effected by electrical and/or mechanical means.

[0124] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for operating an indicia reading system in which two different types of symbols may be read - e.g., a standard linear bar code symbol, and a two-dimensional bar code. The present invention also provides a technique for selecting whether a laser scanner using a light beam to scan a symbol, or CCD imaging and scanning a field of view, is utilized.

[0125] Referring to Fig. 13, there is shown a highly simplified block diagram representation of an embodiment of one type of indicia reader that may be designed according to the principles of the present invention. The reader 200 may be implemented in a portable scanner, or as a desk-top workstation or stationary scanner. In the preferred embodiment, the reader is implemented in a light-weight plastic housing 201.

[0126] In one preferred embodiment, the reader 200 may be a gun-shaped device, having a pistol-grip type of handle; another embodiment is a hand-mounted unit. A movable trigger switch (shown in Figs. 1 and 6 on the housing may be employed to allow the user to manually activate the scanner when the user has positioned the device to point at the symbol to be read. Various "triggerless" activation techniques can also be used as will be subsequently described.

[0127] The first preferred embodiment may generally be of the style disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,760,248, issued to Swartz et al., or in U.S. Patent No. 4,896,026 assigned to Symbol Technologies, Inc., and also similar to the configuration of a bar code reader commercially available as part number LS 8100 or LS 2000 from Symbol Technologies, Inc. Alternatively, or in addition, features of U.S. Patent No. 4,387,297 issued to Swartz et al., or U.S. Patent No. 4,409,470 issued to Shepard et al., both such patents being assigned to Symbol Technologies, Inc., may be employed in constructing the bar code reader unit of Fig. 13. The general design of such devices will be briefly described here for reference.

[0128] Turning to Fig. 13 in more detail, an outgoing light beam 203 is generated in the reader 200 by a light source 207, usually a laser diode or the like. According to the invention as claimed in claims 1-34, the light source is a laser light emitter. The light beam from light source 207 is optically modified by an optical assembly 208 to form a beam having certain characteristics. The beam sized and shaped by the assembly 208 is applied to a scanning unit 209. The light beam is deflected by the scanning unit 209 in a specific scanning pattern, i.e. to form a single line, a linear raster scan pattern, or more complex pattern. The scanned beam 203 is then directed by the scanning unit 209 through an exit window 202 to impinge upon a bar code or other symbol 204 disposed on a target a few inches from the front of the reader. In the embodiments in which the reader 200 is portable, the user aims or positions the portable unit so this scan pattern transverses the symbol 204 to be read. Reflected and/or scattered light 205 from the symbol is detected by a light detector 206 in the reader, producing electrical signals to be processed and decoded for reproducing the data represented by the symbol. As used hereinafter, the term "reflected light" shall mean reflected and/or scattered light.

[0129] The characteristics of each of the optical components 207, 208 and 209 may be independently controlled by drive units 210, 211 and 212 respectively. The drive units are operated by digital control signals sent over the control bus 226 by the central processing unit 219, which is preferably implemented by means of a microprocessor contained in the housing 201.

[0130] A second, optional light source 240, such as an LED array, may also be provided and independently controlled by drive unit 210.

[0131] The output of the light detector 206 is applied to an analog amplifier 213 having an adjustable or selectable gain and bandwidth. An amplifier control unit 214 is connected to the analog amplifier 213 to effect the appropriate adjustment of circuit values in the analog amplifier 213 in response to control signals applied to the control unit 214 over the control bus 226. An ambient light sensor 241 is also provided which provides an output to the control bus 226.

[0132] One output of the analog amplifier 213 is applied to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 215 which samples the analog signal to be tested by the CPU 219. The A/D converter is connected to the control bus 226 to transfer the sampled digital signal for processing by the CPU 219.

[0133] Another output of the analog amplifier 213 is applied to a digitizer 216. The digitizer 216 converts the analog signal from the analog amplifier 213 into a pulse width modulated digital signal. One type of digitizer is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,360,798. Circuits such as those contained in digitizer 216 have variable threshold levels which can be appropriately adjusted. The digitizer control unit 217 is connected to the digitizer 216 and functions to effect the appropriate adjustment of threshold levels in the digitizer 216 in response to control signals applied to the control unit 217 by the DPU 219 over the control bus 226.

[0134] The output of the digitizer 216 is applied to an edge detector 218. The operation of the edge detector 218 can be explained with reference to the discussion in co-pending Serial No. 07/897,835 with respect to corresponding component 118 in that application.

[0135] The edge detector 218 is connected to the decoder 220, which functions in the manner described in the background of the invention.

[0136] More specifically, the decoder may operate as follows. First, a timer/counter register (which may be in the CPU microprocessor 219) is reset to all zeros. Operating as a timer, the register is incremented every machine cycle until another digital bar pattern (DBP) transition occurs. Whenever a DBP transition occurs the value of the counter, or the value 255 if an overflow had occurred, is transferred to another register, and then into memory. The value of the register represents the number of machine cycles between DBP transitions, i.e., the pulse width. After the value of the register is transferred, it is once again reset to zeros and the incrementing process continues until the next transition.

[0137] At any time a bar or space may last for more than 255 count cycles. If this occurs a timer overflow interrupt is generated. The CPU 219 may run an interrupt service routine in response to the interrupt. This routine sets a flag that is used at the next DBP transition to indicate that an overflow had occurred. The interrupt service routine also checks whether the Start of Scan (SOS) signal has changed from its state at the beginning of this scan data acquisition process. If SOS has changed, a value of 255 is written as the width of the last element and the data acquisition process terminates. The end result is that a sequence of words are stored in memory, with each 16-bit word representing, for example, the pulse width representing the successive bars and spaces detected by the bar code reader.

[0138] The decode algorithm operates on the data in memory as the following exemplifies. First, right and left quiet zones are found by searching the data in memory for spaces which are large in comparison to neighboring data elements. Next, the decode of each character proceeds, beginning from the element to the right of the left quiet zone. The decode process for each character is specific to each symbology. Therefore, different character decode algorithms may be applied if the decoder is set to auto-discriminate code types. In general, the decode applies mathematical operations to calculate the number of unit modules encoded in each element, or pairs of elements for so called "delta codes" such as Code 128 and UPC. For so called "binary" codes, such as Code 39, the decoder applies mathematical operations to calculate a threshold between wide and narrow elements and then performs a relational comparison between each element and the threshold. The threshold is calculated dynamically, that is, the threshold is not the same for all the elements.

[0139] The decoded data is stored in a latch 221 which is connected to a data bus 222. The latch 221 is also connected to a control bus 226 which is also connected top the CPU 219.

[0140] In the preferred embodiment, the processing of either the pulse width data, or the decoded data, is implemented in software under control of the CPU 219. The following discussion presents an example of an algorithm that may be implemented in a computer program in the reader according to the present invention.

[0141] Fig. 14 is a flow chart of an algorithm that functions to determine whether a portion of a 1D or 2D bar code symbol has been read, and whether the type of scanning to be used should be modified, or other parameters under control of the scanning system, such as the light level in the field of view, should be adjusted. It is assumed that certain predetermined initialization parameters are automatically set when the scanner is turned on, as represented by block 300. The scanner is then placed in an "interpret" mode (as opposed to a "read" mode) and the algorithm proceeds as shown in Fig. 14.

[0142] In accordance with Fig. 14, a scan is obtained in step 302 by scanning the field of view with a laser beam and detecting the reflected light with Fig. 13 detector 206. A determination is made in step 304 to determine if a two-dimensional bar code has been scanned. If the determination is positive, the laser light source is deactivated in step 306. The ambient light level is reviewed, typically against a predetermined threshold, in step 308. If the ambient light is sufficient to obtain a satisfactory read, the scan is processed through the decoder in step 310 and the results of the decoding are transmitted to the scanner in step 312 and the scan parameters modified in response thereto, if appropriate. If, in step 308, it is determined that the ambient light is insufficient to obtain a satisfactory read, then the LED is activated in step 314. The scan is then decoded and the decoding results transmitted as described above. If, in step 304, it is determined that a one dimensional bar code has been scanned, the scan is decoded in step 316 and the results of the decoding are transmitted to the scanner in step 318 and the scan parameters modified in response thereto, if appropriate. If desired, an ambient light level check, as performed in step 308, could also be performed for scans of one dimensional bar codes.

[0143] Fig. 15A is a perspective view and Figs. 16A-B a plan and elevation view of a hybrid scanner in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. A combined laser diode and scan engine 401 emit a visible light beam. The beam is reflected from mirror 403 towards the targeted symbol which can be a one dimensional bar code as shown or a more complex symbol such as a matrix array to geometric shapes. Due to the reciprocating movement of the laser diode under the control of the scan engine, the visible light beam, which could be a flying spot light beam, forms a scan line across the targeted symbol. A charge coupled device (CCD) or other solid state imaging device 404, which includes an array of detection elements detects or images the reflection of visible light from the symbol upon which the visible light beam from laser diode 401 has been directed. Conventional optics 408, which is automatically self focussing, receives the reflected light and adjusts the focal point of the image on the array of detection elements. Thus, the visible light beam can be used to aim the scanning device at the target while the CCD 404 reads the targeted symbol using either the reflected ambient light or the reflected light from the visible light beam or both. The individual detection elements can be scanned at a variable scanning rate under the control of controller 415 which can be actuated by toggle switch 417 to change the scanning rate. As shown, CCD 404 is a two-dimensional CCD camera. The scan engine is preferably small, for example, an SE-1000 scan engine manufactured by Symbol Technologies, Inc. The CCD has a one-third inch two-dimensional array, preferably 500 by 500 pixels. The field of view of the CCD is greater than 30 degrees and is plus or minus 20 degrees for the one-dimensional laser scanner. The working range of the system shown is approximately 4 to 10 inches for a MaxiCode or one-dimensional UPS code.

[0144] A processor 420, including a conventional decoder 420a and symbol discriminator 420b, is provided to determine if the symbol being read is of the particular symbology type, e.g. a matrix code such as a UPSCODE(TM) symbology, which the hybrid scanner is designed to read. The processor receives an electrical signal generated by the CCD corresponding to the sensed reflected light. The electrical signal is processed and the decoded signal is transmitted from the decoder 420a to the symbol discriminator 420b. The symbol discriminator 420b which, for example, can be implemented using a comparator circuit or other conventional means, determines if the symbol conforms to the appropriate symbology type. If the target is determined to be a conforming symbol the symbol discriminator 420b transmits the decoded signal to, for example, a storage device, display or further processing circuitry. If the target symbol is determined by the symbol discriminator 420b to be of a non-conforming symbology, the discriminator 420b transmits a signal to the deactivator 422 reflecting the non-conforming nature of the target and the deactivator 422 transmits a signal to deactivate the CCD 404 and, if desired the emitter 401.

[0145] In operation, the Fig. 15A scanner is capable of reading a symbol located within an approximate range of 4 to 10 inches from the scanning head window 407 as shown in Figs. 16A and 16B. Although a laser diode is shown in Figs. 15A and 16A-B, a light emitting diode could be alternatively used. According to the invention as claimed in claims 1-34, a laser light emitter is used. An ambient light detector 405 is used, as appropriate, to ensure that there is sufficient ambient light to obtain a proper read of the targeted symbol. The ambient light detector detects the ambient light in the field of view of the CCD. If the CCD is to read reflected ambient light, the visible light beam is used only for aiming or orientation. In such a case, if a desired threshold is met indicating sufficient ambient light for a read, the laser diode is activated by activator 406 to target the symbol. The activator may also activate the CCD, if not otherwise activated, to detect the symbol. Alternatively, if reflected visible light from the emitted light beam will be detected, the ambient light detector 405 and activator may be unnecessary. As a third alternative, the CCD may be capable of sensing either reflected ambient or laser beam light. In this case, the laser scanner may be activated only when an ambient light threshold level is not reached and the ambient light level is insufficient to obtain a proper read. The ambient light detector 405 and activator 406 are of conventional design and can be implemented in any of a number of well known ways. It should be understood that the scanner of Fig. 15A could include the features such as processing, powering and scanning mechanisms described above. The sensor can also function as a range finder as described with reference to Fig. 18 below.

[0146] Fig. 15B depicts a slightly altered configuration of the hybrid scanner of Fig. 15A. The Fig. 15B configuration is particularly suitable for reading dual symbols of different symbology type on a single package. For example, as shown in Fig. 15B a UPC symbol 411 is located adjacent to a UPS code symbol 413. The UPC code 411 may, for example, encode information relating to the contents of the package while UPS code 413 may include customer and/or destination information. The 15B configuration is identical to that of the Fig. 15A embodiment with the exception that a photodetector 409, such as a photodiode, is also included in the configuration and is used to detect the reflection of light from the scanning light beam off the UPC symbol 411.

[0147] For reading two symbols on a single package, the CCD 404 separately detects the reflected ambient light from the UPS code symbol 413. The symbols are separately processed in the conventional manner. The processing may be performed, in whole or in part, within the scan unit as may be desirable for the applicable application. The scanning beam scans across both symbol 411 and 413 and is used both for aiming and/or orienting the scan unit as well as for producing the light which will be detected after reflection from symbol 411. Accordingly, the light beam is only used, with respect to symbol 413, for aiming/orienting purposes. Rather than being used for reading the symbol 411, photodetector 409 could be utilized only for range finding as described below.

[0148] A processor 420, identical to that described with reference to Figure 15A above, includes a conventional decoder 420a and symbol discriminator 420b. The processor determines if the symbol 413 being read by the CCD is of a particular symbology type, e.g. a matrix code such as a UPSCODE(TM) symbology. Additionally, a processor 424, including a conventional decoder 424a and symbol discriminator 424b, is provided to determine if the symbol 411 being read by the photodiode 409 is of the particular symbology type, e.g. a bar code conforming to a UPC code symbology. As described with reference to the Figure 15A scanner, the processor 420 receives an electrical signal generated by the CCD 404 which corresponds to the imaged reflected light off symbol 413. The electrical signal is processed and the decoded signal is transmitted from the decoder 420a to the symbol discriminator 420b.

[0149] The symbol discriminator 420b determines if the symbol conforms to the appropriate symbology type. If the target is determined to be a conforming symbol the symbol discriminator 420b transmits the decoded signal to, for example, a storage device, display or further processing circuitry. If the target symbol is determined by the symbol discriminator 420b to be of a non-conforming symbology, the discriminator 420b transmits a signal to the activator/deactivator 426 reflecting the non-conforming nature of the target and the activator/deactivator 426 transmits a signal to deactivate the CCD 404 and also, if desired, the photodiode 409. Activator/deactivator 426 is similar to deactivator 422 of the Figure 15A scanner but is adapted to include the capability to activate and/or deactivate either or both of the CCD 404 and photodiode 409.

[0150] The processor 424 receives an electrical signal generated by the photodiode 409 which corresponds to the detected reflected light off symbol 411. The electrical signal is processed and the decoded signal is transmitted from the decoder 420a to the symbol discriminator 424b. The symbol discriminator 424b which, similar to symbol discriminator 424b, can be implemented using a comparator circuit or other conventional means, determines if the symbol conforms to the appropriate symbology type. If the target is determined to be a conforming symbol the symbol discriminator 424b transmits the decoded signal to, for example, a storage device, display or further processing circuitry. If the target symbol is determined by the symbol discriminator 424b to be of a non-conforming symbology, the discriminator 424b transmits a signal to the activator/deactivator 426 reflecting the non-conforming nature of the target and the activator/deactivator 426 transmits a signal to deactivate the photodiode 409 and also, if desired, CCD 404.

[0151] The Figure 15C scanner, is an adaption of the Figure 15B scanner, which is particularly beneficial in operations where a single scanner with dual modalities is required or desired. Such a need may arise, for example, where different packages, each with a label which requires scanning and conforms to one of two symbology types, are located in a similar location, such as a warehouse, trailer, or retail outlet, or are being moved along a single conveyor.

[0152] In such cases, one symbol type, such as a UPS or other matrix code, may be particularly suitable for imaging with CCD 404. Another symbol type, such as a bar code, may be more suitable for detection by a photodetector 409. The reflection of ambient light off the symbol may be used for imaging while the reflection of light from a flying spot light beam generated by the laser diode and scan engine 401 may be used for photodetection.

[0153] For such operations, as shown in Figure 15C, both the CCD 404 and photodiode 409 are directed to scan a single targeted symbol 450 which may be either a UPC code or a UPS code, or other types of symbols conforming to differing symbology types. The CCD 404 senses the reflection of visible ambient light off symbol 450. The photodiode 409 simultaneously detects the reflection of a flying spot light beam emitted by emitter 401 from the symbol 450. Processors 420 and 424 respectively process and decode the electrical signal received from the CCD 404 and photodiode 409. The decoded signals are respectively analyzed by symbol discriminators 420b and 424b to determine if the decoded signal represents a symbol of an appropriate symbology type.

[0154] In this case, if the signal decoded by decoder 420a is determined by discriminator 420b to conform to UPSCODE(TM) symbology, the decoded signal is transmitted for storage, further processing, display or other operations, as appropriate. If, on the other hand, the imaged symbol is determined not to conform to UPSCODE(TM) then a signal is sent to the deactivator 426 which accordingly sends a signal to the deactivate the CCD. Preferably the CCD remains deactivated until a signal is transmitted from deactivator 426 to deactivate photodiode 409, at which time activator/deactivator 426 also transmits a signal activating CCD 404. It will be understood that the deactivation of photodiode 409 and activation of CCD 404 will occur when a symbol subsequently targeted by the scanner conforms to UPSCODE(TM) rather than UPC code symbology.

[0155] Likewise, if the signal decoded by decoder 424a is determined by discriminator 424b to conform to UPC code symbology, the decoded signal is transmitted from discriminator 424b for storage, further processing, display or other operations as appropriate. If, on the other hand, the detected symbol is determined not to conform to the UPC code then a signal is sent to the deactivator 426 which accordingly sends a signal to deactivate the photodiode 409. Preferably the photodiode remains deactivated until a signal is transmitted from activator/deactivator 426 to deactivate CCD 404, at which time activator/deactivator 426 also transmits a signal activating photodiode 409. Here to it should be understood that the activation of photodiode 409 and deactivation of CCD 404 will occur when a symbol subsequently targeted by the scanner is determined to conform to UPC code symbology rather than the UPSCODE(TM) symbology.

[0156] If desired, only a single detector, i.e. either the CCD or photodiode, could be initially activated. One or more indicators might also be provided to notify a user if the CCD or photodiode are active or have been activated or deactivated. Each processor will also typically include one or more digitizers for digitizing a signal corresponding to an electrical signal generated by the CCD or photodiode, as applicable, prior to decoding. Additional photodetectors, CCD's and processors could be added, with minor modifications to the activator/deactivator 426, to provide for additional modalities and further flexibility in reading individual symbols which may be of any one of three or more symbology types.

[0157] Using the Figure 15C system, the scanner operates in two distinct modalities, one for reading bar code symbols and the other for reading matrix codes. The symbol discriminators 420b and 424b determine if the symbol 430 being targeted is of a predetermined category or symbology type. If a signal is generated by only one of the discriminators 420b and 424b, it indicates that the category of the targeted symbol necessarily conforms to the predetermined symbology type acceptable to the other symbol discriminator. If both discriminators 420b and 424b generate signals then the category of the targeted signal is necessarily outside the predetermined categories for the scanner. Hence, either of the two modalities are selected in response to a signal received from one of the two symbol discriminators. In one modality the CCD is activated to read matrix codes by imaging reflected ambient light and in the other modality the photodiode is activated to read bar codes, for example stacked bar codes such as adjacent rows of linear bar codes, using light from a flying spot light beam reflected off the symbol.

[0158] Fig. 17 depicts a single scan line capable of being generated by the scanner of Figs. 15A and B across a UPS symbol formed with a matrix array of geometric shapes.

[0159] Figs. 18A-18D depict various aspects of the range finder which may be included in any of the above described embodiments of the invention. Range finders are typically included in devices such as auto focus type cameras. As shown, the sensor array 1600 and lens 1602 sense the movement and position of the image produced by the scanning light beam 1604 as the distance between the symbol and the scanner increases or decreases. No secondary light source is required for range finding. A positive sensitive sensor could be used in lieu of sensor array 1600 if desired. The results of the range finding can be used in an algorithm, such as that described with reference to Fig. 14 above, to modify the scan parameters if the distance between the scanner and the symbol reach a predetermined threshold. For example, if a threshold is exceeded, it may be beneficial to activate an LED, even if the ambient light level appears to be sufficient to obtain a satisfactory scan.

[0160] The operation of the range finder will now be described with reference to Figs. 18B-18D. As shown the scanner 1650 has a field of view (FOV). The scan line image detected by the CCD 1600 has a length d₃ when the targeted symbol 1660 is a distance d₁ from the scanner 1650. On the other hand, when the symbol 1660 is a distance d₂, which is greater than the distance d₁, from the scanner 1650, the scan line image detected by the CCD 1600 has a length of d₄ which is greater than d₃. Thus, the length of the scan line image detected by the CCD can be used to determine the distance of the scanner from the target symbol. Once the length of the image is determined, it can, for example be compared in a comparator circuit or using other conventional means against predetermined parameters to correlate the length of the detected image with a distance or range of the symbol.

[0161] Fig. 19A depicts a simplified sectional side view of a gun-shaped housing for a hybrid scanner of the type shown in Figs. 15A or 15B. Gun-shaped housing 500 has a narrow body 501 and single window 502 through which the laser light beam is emitted and reflected light from the target enters the gun housing 500. A trigger switch 503 is provided for activating the light emitter and detector, or detectors, and other components within the housing. The housing can house the controller 415 and actuator 417, if provided. A battery 504 provides the power to the emitting and detection components when the trigger 503 is squeezed. Conventional processing circuitry 512 is provided to convert the electrical signal generated by the sensor 404, and detector 409 is included, into a corresponding analog or digital signal capable of transmission by wireless transmitter 514 to a remote receiver 516 at, for example a central processing or electronic date storage device 518. The transmitter could if desired be a transceiver and might operate at radio or other frequencies which are suitable for accomplishing the transmission. The processing circuitry 512 includes an integrator 512A which processes the outputs of the individual detection elements into a single output signal prior to transmission.

[0162] Fig. 19B depicts a perspective view of the gun-shaped scanner of Fig. 19A connected to a decode module 505 by a flexible cable 506. Electrical signals generated by the CCD 404 and/or photodiodes, not shown, or signals corresponding thereto are transmitted from the gun- shaped housing 500 over the flexible cable 506 to the decode module 505. The decode module processes the received signal which preferably converts the received signal into a digitized signal and decodes the signal to obtain information representing the spatial intensity variations of the target. The decoded information can then be transmitted by way of communication cable 507 to a base computer 508 where the decoded information may be stored and/or further processed. Rather than a hard wired connection, module 505 and computer 508 can be beneficially provided with transmitter or transceiver 509 and receiver or transceiver 510 to allow wireless communication for transmission of the decoded and other information. If transceivers are provided, a two-way communication link can be established such that information and instructions from computer 508 can, additionally, be transmitted to decode module 505.

[0163] Fig. 20 depicts a goose head type stationary mount 520 which includes a flexible cantilevered portion 521 attached to a stabilizing base 522 and having a hybrid scanner housing portion 523 in which a hybrid scanner of the type shown in Fig. 15A or 15B is housed. The flexible cantilevered support member 521 can be adjusted to increase or decrease the distance between the housing 523 and the target. It also provides the flexibility to direct the emitted light in virtually any desired direction. The housing 523 can be fully rotated, i.e. 360°, around the base 522. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the housing 523 can be directed to provide a light beam substantially parallel or perpendicular to the support structure 524 upon which the base 522 rests. Although a particular shaped housing 523 is depicted in Fig. 20, the housing shape could be in any desired form so long as one or more windows are placed in the housing which allow the necessary field of view for the emitted light beams and reflected light from the target to pass in and out of the housing. Additionally, if desired, a mount can be provided on the end of the flexible cantilevered member 521 in view of the housing so as to accept the handle portion of the gun-shaped housing of Figs. 19A and 19B. Such a configuration would allow a hybrid scanner in a gun-shaped housing to be utilized both as a portable scanner and as a stationary scanner depending on the particular need.

[0164] Figs. 21A-21C depict hybrid scanners of the type shown in Figs. 15A or 15B arranged as part of a tunnel scanning system. The supporting structure 530 supports multiple hybrid scanners 531. The scanners are arranged to scan symbols on packages moved along on a conveyor belt 532. The scanners are arranged and oriented in a precise manner so as to facilitate the reading of symbols no matter what orientation the package may be in as it moves along on the conveyor belt 532. As perhaps best shown in Figs. 521B and 521C, the conveyor belt 532 is preferably made of a light transparent material so that scan components 531 can be located below the conveyor belt to read symbols which have a symbol orientation opposed to the surface of the conveyor belt. Additionally, hybrid scanners are also supported so as to read symbols which are on an upstream or downstream face of a package during their movement through the tunnel scanning system.

[0165] Fig. 22 depicts a further tunnel scanner embodiment particularly suitable for locating and tracking packages being transported by truck. As shown, hybrid scanners 531 are supported around the opening in the trailer portion 541 of the truck 540. The scanning system can, for example, be activated upon opening the trailer door on the rear of the trailer portion 541. The hybrid scanners surround the opening and are oriented in a precise manner to provide a combined field of view which will allow a symbol located on a package being moved through the opening, for example, on slide 542 to be read no matter how the symbol may be oriented at the time it moves through the opening. If desired, a processor 543 and wireless transmitter or transceiver 544 can be mounted in the trailer portion 541 or elsewhere within truck 540 to process the signals corresponding to an electrical signal generated by the CCD or photo detector of the hybrid scanner which obtains the read. The processed signal can if desired be communicated by wireless transmitter/transceiver 544 to a base station where the processed data is stored or utilized, for example, in notifying the owner of the goods being transported that shipment has begun or delivery has occurred. Processor 543 may also, if desired, include a storage device for storing the decoded information.

[0166] Fig. 23 shows a further application of a tunnel type scanning system utilizing the hybrid scanners of Figs. 15A or 15B. Similar to the system shown in Fig. 22, hybrid scanners 531 are supported around an opening provided in the aircraft 550. The scanners are precisely oriented to provide an acceptable combined field of view such that the target symbol on the package can be satisfactorily read no matter what the orientation of the package as it moves through the tunnel scanning system. If desired, a processor 543 and wireless transmitter or transceiver 544 of the type described in Fig. 22 can be provided.

[0167] Although certain embodiments of the invention have been discussed without reference to the scanner housing, triggering mechanism and other features of conventional scanners, it will be understood that a variety of housing styles and shapes and triggering mechanisms could be used. Other conventional features can also be included if so desired. The scanner of the present invention is not limited to use in portable devices or tunnel type scanner systems and can also be easily adapted for use in a stationary housing wherein the item on which the symbol resides is moved across the scanner head.

[0168] Additionally, even though the present invention has been described with respect to reading one or two-dimensional bar code and matrix array symbols, it is not limited to such embodiments, but may also be applicable to more complex indicia scanning or data acquisition applications. It is conceivable that the method of the present invention may also find application for use with various machine vision or optical character recognition applications in which information is derived from indicia such as printed characters or symbols, or from the surface or configurational characteristics of the article being scanned.

[0169] In all of the various embodiments, the elements of the scanner may be implemented in a very compact assembly or package such as a single printed circuit board or integral module. Such a board or module can interchangeably be used as the dedicated scanning element for a variety of different operating modalities and types of data acquisition systems. For example, the module may be alternately used in a hand-held manner, a table top goose neck scanner attached to a flexible arm or mounting extending over the surface of the table or attached to the underside of the table top, or mounted as a subcomponent or subassembly of a more sophisticated data acquisition system such as a tunnel scanner system.

[0170] Each of these different implementations is associated with a different modality of reading bar code or other symbols. Thus, for example, the hand-held scanner is typically operated by the user "aiming" the scanner at the target; the table top scanner operated by the target moved rapidly through the scan field, or "presented" to a scan pattern which is imaged on a background surface. Still other modalities within the scope of the present invention envision the articles being moved past a plurality of scan modules oriented in different directions so at least the field of view allows one scan of a symbol which may be arbitrarily positioned on the article.

[0171] The module would advantageously comprise an optics subassembly mounted on a support, and a photodetector component. Control or data lines associated with such components may be connected to an electrical connector mounted on the edge or external surface of the module to enable the module to be electrically connected to a mating connector associated with other elements of the data acquisition system.

[0172] An individual module may have specific scanning or decoding characteristics associated with it, e.g. operability at a certain working distance, or operability with one or more specific symbologies or printing densities. The characteristics may also be defined through the manual setting of control switches associated with the module. The user may also adapt the data acquisition system to scan different types of articles or the system may be adapted for different applications by interchanging modules in the data acquisition system through the use of a simple electrical connector.

[0173] The scanning module described above may also be implemented within a self-contained data acquisition system including one or more such components as keyboard, display, printer, data storage, application software, and data bases. Such a system may also include a communications interface to permit the data acquisition system to communicate with other components of a local or wide area network or with the telephone exchange network, either through a modem or an ISDN interface, or by low power radio broadcast from a portable terminal to a stationary receiver.

[0174] As described above, an improved indicia reader without the limitations of prior art readers is provided. The indicia reader is capable of providing an elongated scan line across indicia located close to the scanner head. The reader can read two-dimensional or more complex indicia. The reader is also capable of being aimed or oriented while imaging the indicia. Laser scanning with CCD imaging is provided. The reader is capable of reading indicia of different symbology types including indicia comprised of a matrix array of geometric set shapes such as UPSCODE™.

[0175] The novel features characteristics of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as other features and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to a detailed description of a specific embodiment, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A bar code reader for reading indicia of differing light reflectivity, said bar code reader comprising:

a first assembly (401) including a first laser light emitter (207) for generating a light beam and means (209) for scanning said light beam to visually illuminate the indicia, and

a second assembly (404) including a solid state imaging device (206) having an array of detecting elements for imaging reflected light from said indicia and for generating a first electrical signal responsive to said imaged light indicative of said indicia.

2. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said first light emitter (401) includes a laser diode.

3. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid state imaging device (404) is a linear array of charge coupled devices.

4. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid state imaging device (404) comprises a two-dimensional array of detecting elements.

5. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor (405, 241) for detecting the level of the ambient light in the field of view and for producing an output signal if the ambient light level is above a threshold value.

6. A bar code reader as defined in claim 5, further comprising means (406) for activating said light emitter, and wherein said means for activating said light emitter is responsive to said output signal.

7. A bar code reader as defined in claim 6, wherein said means (406) for activating said light emitter is also responsive to said electrical signal.

8. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicia is a matrix code or bar code symbol in which information is encoded in a two-dimensional pattern.

9. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, further comprising means (420) for processing said electrical signal to determine whether the indicia is a linear or multidimensional symbol.

10. A bar coder reader as defined in claim 9, further comprising selection means (420b, 422) for deactivating said first light emitter if said means (420) for processing determines that the indicia is a bar code symbol of a certain symbology category.

11. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical signal is representative of light produced by said first light emitter reflected from said indicia.

12. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical signal is representative of the ambient light reflected from said indicia.

13. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid state imaging device scans a field of view at a scan rate faster than that of said scanning light beam.

14. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid state imaging device scans a field of view at a scan rate substantially slower than that of said scanning light beam.

15. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said solid state imaging device periodically scans a field of view and then ceases to scan the field of view for a period of time.

16. A bar code reader as defined in claim 9, wherein said processing means (420) includes a symbology discriminator (420b) for discriminating between indicia of different symbology types.

17. A bar code reader as defined in claim 16, wherein one of said symbology types is a matrix array of geometric shapes.

18. A bar code reader as defined in claim 17, wherein said first light emitter (401) is deactivated upon said processing means (420) detecting a symbol matrix array.

19. A bar code reader as defined in claim 1, wherein said first light emitter and said solid state imaging device are disposed in a hand-held housing (201).

20. A bar code reader as defined in any of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a second light emitter (240) for generating a light beam to illuminate a field of view.

21. A bar code reader as defined in claim 20, wherein said second light emitter (240) includes a light emitting diode, and said light emitting diode and said first light emitter are disposed in a single housing.

22. A bar code reader as defined in claim 20, wherein said solid state imaging device is a linear charge coupled device disposed in said reader so that an elongated dimension of said charge coupled device is parallel to an elongated dimension of the scanning light beam.

23. A bar code reader as defined in claim 20 when dependent on claim 5, further comprising means (406) for activating said second light emitter (240), and wherein said means for activating said second light emitter is responsive to said output signal.

24. A bar code reader as defined in claim 20 when dependent on claim 5, further comprising means (406) for activating said first and/or said second light emitter, and wherein said means for activating said first and/or said second light emitter is responsive to said output signal.

25. A bar code reader as defined in claim 20, wherein said solid state imaging device measures an elongated dimension of a scan line image on the sensor to determine the range of the indicia.

26. A bar code reader as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein said detecting element generate an electrical signal representing the spatial intensity variations of said indicia.

27. A bar code reader according to claim 26, further comprising integrating means for processing the output of each of the detecting elements to produce a single output signal.

28. A bar code reader according to claim 27, wherein said detecting elements are scanned at a variable scanning rate.

29. A bar code reader according to claim 26, further comprising auto-focus optics for receiving the reflected light and adjusting the focal point of the image on the array of detecting elements.

30. A bar code reader as defined in claims 19 or 20, wherein said detecting elements are scanned at a scanning rate, and further comprising actuatable control means in the housing to change the scanning rate of the detecting elements.

31. A bar code reader as defined in claim 30, further comprising transmitter means (514) in the housing for transmitting information through the air to a receiver located remotely from the bar code reader.

32. A bar code reader as defined in any of the preceding claims, further comprising
   a photodetector (409) for detecting reflected light from said indicia and for generating a second electrical signal representing spatial intensity variations of said indicia.

33. A bar code reader according to claim 32, further comprising:

a first symbology discriminator (420b) for receiving a first signal corresponding to the first electrical signal and for generating a first output signal if said first signal is indicative of indicia which is non-conforming to a first indicia category;

a second symbology discriminator (424b) for receiving a second signal corresponding to the second electrical signal and for generating a second output signal if said second signal is indicative of indicia which is non-conforming to a second indicia category;

a deactivator (426) for deactivating said solid state imaging device (404) in response to said first output signal and for deactivating said photodetector (409) in response to said second output signal.

34. A bar code reader according to claim 33, wherein said first indicia category is matrix codes and said second indicia category is stacked bar codes including adjacent rows of linear bar codes.

35. A method for reading coded indicia having parts of different light reflectivity,
   comprising:

a) directing a light beam from a light source along a path toward the coded indicia, the light beam being scanned on a path along said symbol, and
   detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity reflected off the coded indicia and generating a first electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity,

b) processing the first electrical signal to determine if it may be decoded into data represented by the coded indicia;

c) in the event the first electrical signal cannot be decoded into data, imaging reflected light from said indicia on a solid state imaging device (404) including an array of detecting elements, and generating a second electric signal indicative of the detected light intensity; and

d) processing the second electrical signal to determine if it may be decoded into data represented by the coded indicia.

36. A method for reading coded indicia having parts of different light reflectivity,
   comprising:

a) imaging reflected light from said indicia on a solid state imaging device (404) including an array of detecting elements, and generating a first electric signal indicative of the detected light intensity; and

b) processing the first electrical signal to determine if it may be decoded into data represented by the coded indicia;

c) in the event the first electrical signal cannot be decoded into data, directing a light beam from a light source along a path toward the coded indicia, the light beam being scanned on a path along said symbol, and
   detecting at least a portion of light of variable intensity reflected off the coded indicia and generating a second electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity,

d) processing the second electrical signal to determine if it may be decoded into data represented by the coded indicia.

37. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said light beam is a laser light beam.

38. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, further comprising the steps of detecting the level of the ambient light in a field of view and producing an output signal if the ambient light level is above a threshold value.

39. A method as defined in claim 38, further comprising the step of generating said light beam in response to said output signal.

40. A method as defined in claim 39, wherein said step of generating said light beam is also responsive to said electrical signal.

41. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said indicia is a matrix code or bar code symbol in which information is encoded in a two-dimensional pattern.

42. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, further comprising the step of processing said electrical signal to determine whether the indicia is a linear or multidimensional symbol.

43. A method as defined in claim 42, further comprising the step of terminating the generating of said light beam if said processing determines that the symbol is a bar code symbol of a certain symbology category.

44. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said electrical signal is representative of light from said light beam reflected from said indicia.

45. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said electrical signal is representative of ambient light reflected from said indicia.

46. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said imaging is performed by scanning a field of view at a scan rate faster than that of said scanning light beam.

47. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said imaging is performed by scanning a field of view at a scan rate substantially slower than that of said scanning light beam.

48. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said imaging periodically scans a field of view and then ceases to scan the field of view for a period of time.

49. A method as defined in claim 42, wherein said processing includes discriminating between indicia of different symbology types.

50. A method as defined in claim 49, wherein one of said symbology types is a matrix array of geometric shapes.

51. A method as defined in claim 50, wherein said light beam is terminated upon detecting a matrix array during said processing.

52. A method as defined in claim 38, further comprising the step of generating said light beam and/or said scanning light beam responsive to said output signal.

53. A method according to claim 35 or 36, wherein multiple output signals are provided by said imaging, and further comprising the step of processing the multiple output signals to generate a single output signal.

54. A method according to claim 53, wherein said imaging is performed by scanning at a variable scanning rate.

55. A method according to claim 35 or 36, further comprising the steps of receiving the reflected light and adjusting said imaging in response to the received reflected light.

56. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, wherein said imaging is performed at a scanning rate, and further comprising the step of changing the scanning rate of the imaging.

57. A method as defined in claim 35 or 36, further comprising the step of transmitting information represented by said electrical signals through the air to a remote location.

58. A method as defined in any of claims 35-57, further comprising:
   detecting the relative position of the reflected light to determine a distance to the bar code symbol.

59. A method for reading symbols formed by a pattern of indicia, such as matrix codes or bar code symbols, with a reader having at least two distinct reading modalities, comprising:

determining if the symbol is of a predetermined category and generating a signal indicative of the category thereof, and

selecting (304) a respective scanning modality in response to said signal to subsequently read such symbol,

   wherein a first reading modality is imaging with a CCD device,
   wherein a second reading modality is scanning with a flying spot light beam.

60. A method as defined in claim 59, wherein a first category of symbols is matrix codes.

61. A method as defined in claim 60, wherein a second category of symbols is stacked bar codes including adjacent rows of linear bar codes.

62. A method for reading bar code symbols having parts of different light reflectivity on a target with a hand-held reader,
   comprising:

a) emitting a light beam from the reader so that the beam is scanned on a path on the target and enables the user to aim the reader at the bar code symbol, and

b) imaging reflected light from said bar code symbol on a CCD sensor and generating an electrical signal indicative of the imaged light intensity, and processing the electrical signal to produce data represented by the bar code symbol.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Bar- oder Strichcodeleser zum Lesen von Anzeigemitteln von unterschiedlicher Lichtreflektivität, wobei der Strichcodeleser folgendes aufweist:

eine erste Anordnung (401) einschließlich eines ersten Laserlichtemitters (207) zur Erzeugung eines Lichtstrahls und Mittel (209) zum Tasten des Lichtstrahles um visuell die Anzeigemittel zu beleuchten und

eine zweite Anordnung (404) einschließlich einer Festkörperbildvorrichtung (206) mit einer Anordnung von Detektierelementen, um reflektiertes Licht von den Anzeigemitteln abzubilden und um ein erstes elektrisches Signal zu erzeugen, und zwar ansprechend auf das für die Anzeigemittel eine Anzeige bildende abgebildete Licht.

2. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei der erste Lichtemitter (401) eine Laserdiode aufweist.

3. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Festkörperbildvorrichtung (404) eine Linearanordnung von ladungsgekoppelten Vorrichtungen (CCD) ist.

4. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Festkörperbildvorrichtung (404) eine zweidimensionale Anordnung von Detektierelementen aufweist.

5. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein Umgebungslichtsensor (405, 241) vorgesehen ist zum Detektieren des Pegels von Umgebungslicht dem Gesichtsfeld und zur Erzeugung eines Ausgangssignals, wenn der Umgebungslichtpegel oberhalb eines Schwellenwertes liegt.

6. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 5, wobei ferner Mittel (406) vorgesehen sind zum Aktivieren des Lichtemitters, und wobei die erwähnten Mittel zum Aktivieren des Lichtemitters auf das erwähnte Ausgangssignal ansprechen.

7. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Mittel (406) zum Aktivieren des Lichtemitters auch auf das erwähnte elektrische Signal ansprechen.

8. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Anzeigemittel ein Matrixcode oder ein Barcodesymbol ist, in dem Information in einem zweidimensionalen Muster codiert ist.

9. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei ferner Mittel (420) vorgesehen sind zum Verarbeiten des erwähnten elektrischen Signals um zu bestimmen, ob die Anzeigemittel ein lineares oder multidimensionales Symbol sind.

10. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 9, wobei ferner Auswahlmittel (420, 422) vorgesehen sind, zum Deaktivieren des ersten Lichtemitters, wenn die erwähnten Mittel (420) zur Verarbeitung feststellen, dass die Anzeigemittel ein Strichcodesymbol einer bestimmten Symbologiekategorie sind.

11. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei das elektrische Signal für Licht repräsentativ ist erzeugt durch den ersten Lichtemitter reflektiert von den Anzeigemitteln.

12. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei das elektrische Signal für das Umgebungslicht reflektiert von den Anzeigemitteln repräsentativ ist.

13. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Festkörperbildvorrichtung ein Gesichtsfeld mit einer Abtastrate abtastet, die schneller ist als die des erwähnten Abtastlichtstrahles.

14. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Festkörperbildvorrichtung ein Gesichtsfeld mit einer Abtastrate abtastet, die wesentlich kleiner ist als die des erwähnten abtastenden Lichtstrahles.

15. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Festkörperabbildvorrichtung periodisch ein Gesichtsfeld abtastet und sodann aufhört, um das Gesichtsfeld für eine Zeitperiode abzutasten.

16. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Verarbeitungsmittel (420) einen Symbologiediskriminator (420b) aufweisen, um zwischen Anzeigemitteln unterschiedlicher Symbologie-Typen zu unterscheiden.

17. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 16, wobei einer der Symbologie-Typen eine Matrix-Anordnung mit geometrischen Formen ist.

18. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 17, wobei der erwähnte erste Lichtemitter (401) dann deaktiviert wird, wenn die erwähnten Verarbeitungsmittel (420) eine Symbolmatrixanordnung detektieren.

19. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 1, wobei der erste Lichtemitter und die erwähnte Festkörperbildvorrichtung in einem in der Hand zu haltenden Gehäuse (201) angeordnet sind.

20. Strichcodeleser nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ferner folgendes vorgesehen ist:

ein zweiter Lichtemitter (240) zur Erzeugung eines Lichtstrahles zur Beleuchtung eines Gesichtsfeldes.

21. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 20, wobei der zweite Lichtemitter (240) eine lichtemittierende Diode aufweist, und wobei die lichtemittierende Diode und der erste Lichtemitter in einem einzigen Gehäuse angeordnet sind.

22. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 20, wobei die Festkörperbildvorrichtung eine lineare ladungsgekoppelte Vorrichtung ist, und zwar angeordnet in dem Leser derart, dass eine Längsdimension der ladungsgekoppelt Vorrichtung parallel zu einer Längsdimension des Abtastlichtstrahls verläuft.

23. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 20, bei Abhängigkeit von Anspruch 5, wobei ferner Mittel (406) vorgesehen sind, zum Aktivieren des zweiten Lichtemitters (240) und wobei die Mittel zum Aktivieren des zweiten Lichtemitters auf das erwähnte Ausgangssignal ansprechen.

24. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 20, bei Abhängigkeit von Anspruch 5, wobei ferner Mittel (406) vorgesehen sind zum Aktivieren des ersten und/oder zweiten Lichtemitters und wobei die erwähnten Mittel zum Aktivieren des ersten und/oder zweiten Lichtemitters auf das erwähnte Ausgangssignal ansprechen.

25. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 20, wobei die Festkörperbildvorrichtung eine Längsdimension eines Abtastlinienbildes auf dem Sensor mißt, um den Bereich der Anzeigemittel festzustellen.

26. Strichcodeleser nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Detektierelemente ein elektrisches Signal erzeugen, welches Raumintensitätsveränderungen der Anzeigemittel repräsentiert.

27. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 26, wobei ferner Integriermittel vorgesehen sind, um den Ausgang bzw. die Ausgangsgröße jedes der Detektierelemente zu verarbeiten, um ein einziges Ausgangssignal zu erzeugen.

28. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 27, wobei die Detektierelemente mit einer variablen Abtastrate abgetastet werden.

29. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 26, wobei ferner Autofokusoptikmittel vorgesehen sind, um das reflektierte Licht zu empfangen und den Brennpunkt des Bildes auf der Anordnung der Detektierelemente einzustellen.

30. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 19 oder 20, wobei die Detektierelemente mit einer Abtastrate abgetastet werden und wobei ferner betätigbare Steuermittel in dem Gehäuse vorgesehen sind, um die Abtastrate der Detektierelemente zu ändern.

31. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 30, wobei ferner Transmitter oder Sendemittel (514) in dem Gehäuse vorgesehen sind, um Information durch die Luft zu einem Empfänger zu senden, der entfernt vom Strichcodeleser angeordnet ist.

32. Strichcodeleser nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ferner folgendes vorgesehen ist:

ein Fotodetektor (409) zum Detektieren von reflektiertem Licht von den Anzeigemitteln und zur Erzeugung eines zweiten elektrischen Signals welches Raumintensitätsveränderungen oder Variationen der Anzeigemittel repräsentiert.

33. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 32, wobei ferner folgendes vorgesehen ist:

ein erster Symbologiediskriminator (420b) zum Empfang eines ersten Signals entsprechend dem ersten elektrischen Signal und zur Erzeugung eines ersten Ausgangssignals, wenn das erwähnte erste Signal Anzeigemittel anzeigt, die mit einer ersten Anzeigemittelkategorie nicht konform sind.

einen zweiten Symbologiediskriminator (424b) zum Empfang eines zweiten Signals entsprechend dem zweiten elektrischen Signal und zur Erzeugung eines zweiten Ausgangssignals, wenn das zweite Signal Anzeigemittel anzeigt, die mit einer zweiten Anzeigemittelkategorie nicht konform sind;

einen Deaktivator (426) zum Deaktivieren der erwähnten Festkörperbildvorrichtung (404) ansprechend auf das erste Ausgangssignal und zum Deaktivieren des erwähnten Fotodetektors (409) ansprechend auf das zweite Ausgangssignal.

34. Strichcodeleser nach Anspruch 33, wobei die erste Anzeigemittelkategorie Matrixcodes sind, und wobei die zweite Anzeigemittelkategorie gestapelte Bar- oder Strichcodes sind, und zwar einschließlich benachbarter Reihen von linearen Bar- oder Strichcodes.

35. Verfahren zum Lesen codierter Anzeigemittel mit Teilen unterschiedlicher Lichtreflektivität, wobei folgendes vorgesehen ist:

a) Leiten eines Lichtstrahles von einer Lichtquelle entlang eines Pfades zu den codierten Anzeigemitteln, wobei der Lichtstrahl auf einem Pfad entlang des Symbols getastet wird, und
Detektieren von mindestens einem Teil des Lichts variabler Intensität reflektiert von den codierten Anzeigemitteln und Erzeugung eines ersten elektrischen Signals welches eine Anzeige für die detektierte Lichtintensität bildet,

b) Verarbeiten des ersten elektrischen Signals um zu bestimmen, ob es in Daten repräsentiert durch die codierten Anzeigemittel decodiert werden kann,

c) Abbilden von reflektiertem Licht von den Anzeigemitteln auf der Festkörperbildvorrichtung (404) einschließlich einer Anordnung von Detektierelementen in dem Falle, dass das erste elektrische Signal nicht in Daten decodiert werden kann, und Erzeugen eines zweiten elektrischen Signals welches eine Anzeige für die detektierte Lichtintensität bildet; und

d) Verarbeiten des zweiten elektrischen Signals um zu bestimmen, ob es decodiert werden kann in Daten repräsentiert durch die codierten Anzeigemittel.

36. Verfahren zum Lesen codierter Anzeigemittel mit Teilen unterschiedlicher Lichtreflektivität, wobei folgendes vorgesehen ist:

a) Abbilden reflektierten Lichtes von den Anzeigemitteln auf einer Festkörperbildvorrichtung (404) einschließlich einer Anordnung von Detektierelementen, und Erzeugung eines ersten elektrischen Signals, welches eine Anzeige bildet für die detektierte Lichtintensität; und

b) Verarbeiten des ersten elektrischen Signals um zu bestimmen, ob es in Daten decodiert werden kann repräsentiert durch die codierten Anzeigemittel;

c) Leiten eines Lichtstrahls von einer Lichtquelle entlang eines Pfades zu den codierten Anzeigemitteln im Falle dass das erste elektrische Signal nicht in Daten decodiert werden kann, wobei der Lichtstrahl auf einen Pfad entlang des Symbols getastet wird, und Detektieren von mindestens einem Teil des Lichtes variabler Lichtintensität reflektiert von den codierten Anzeigemitteln und Erzeugung eines zweiten elektrischen Signals welches eine Anzeige für die detektierte Lichtintensität bildet,

d) Verarbeiten des zweiten elektrischen Signals, um zu bestimmen, ob es in Daten repräsentiert durch die codierten Anzeigemittel decodiert werden kann.

37. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei der Lichtstrahl ein Laserlichtstrahl ist.

38. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei ferner die Schritte des Detektierens des Pegels des Umgebungslichtes in einem Gesichtsfeld und das Erzeugen eines Ausgangssignals, wenn der Umgebungslichtpegel oberhalb eines Schwellenwertes ist, vorgesehen ist.

39. Verfahren nach Anspruch 38, wobei ferner der Schritt des Erzeugens des Lichtstrahles ansprechend auf das erwähnte Ausgangssignal vorgesehen ist.

40. Verfahren nach Anspruch 39, wobei der Schritt des Erzeugens des Lichtstrahles ebenfalls auf das erwähnte elektrische Signal anspricht.

41. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei die Anzeigemittel ein Matrixcode oder Barcodesymbol sind in dem Information in einem zweidimensionalen Muster codiert ist.

42. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei ferner der Schritt des Verarbeitens des elektrischen Signals vorgesehen ist, um festzustellen, ob die Anzeigemittel ein lineares oder multidimensionales Symbol sind.

43. Verfahren nach Anspruch 42, wobei ferner der Schritt des Beendens der Erzeugung des erwähnten Lichtstrahles vorgesehen ist, wenn die Verarbeitung feststellt, dass das Symbol ein Bar- oder Strichcodesymbol einer bestimmten Symbologiekategorie ist.

44. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei das elektrische Signal für Licht von dem erwähnten Lichtstrahl reflektiert von den Anzeigemitteln repräsentativ ist.

45. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei das elektrische Signal für Umgebungslicht reflektiert von den Anzeigemitteln repräsentativ ist.

46. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei die Abbildung ausgeführt wird durch Abtasten eines Gesichtsfeldes mit einer Abtastrate die schneller ist als die des erwähnten Abtastlichtstrahles.

47. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei die Abbildung ausgeführt wird durch Abtasten eines Gesichtsfeldes mit einer Abtastrate, die wesentlich langsamer ist als die des abtastenden Lichtstrahles.

48. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei die Abbildung periodisch ein Gesichtsfeld abtastet und sodann aufhört um das Gesichtsfeld für eine Zeitperiode abzutasten.

49. Verfahren nach Anspruch 42, wobei die Verarbeitung die Diskriminierung umfasst, und zwar zwischen Anzeigemitteln unterschiedlicher Symbologietypen.

50. Verfahren nach Anspruch 49, wobei einer der erwähnten Symbologietypen eine Matrixanordnung von geometrischen Formen ist.

51. Verfahren nach Anspruch 50, wobei der erwähnte Lichtstrahl beendet wird, wenn eine Matrixanordnung während der erwähnten Verarbeitung detektiert wird.

52. Verfahren nach Anspruch 38, wobei ferner der Schritt des Erzeugens des erwähnten Lichtstrahles und/oder des erwähnten Abtastlichtstrahles ansprechend auf das Ausgangssignal vorgesehen ist.

53. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei Mehrfachausgangssignale durch die Abbildung vorgesehen werden, und wobei ferner der Schritt des Verarbeitens der Mehrfachausgangssignale vorgesehen ist, um ein einziges Ausgangssignal vorzusehen.

54. Verfahren nach Anspruch 53, wobei die Abbildung durch Abtasten mit einer variablen Abtastrate ausgeführt wird.

55. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei ferner die Schritte des Empfangens des reflektierten Lichtes und des Einstellens der Abbildung vorgesehen sind, und zwar ansprechend auf das Empfangen des reflektierten Lichts.

56. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei die Abbildung mit einer Abtastrate ausgeführt wird, und wobei ferner der Schritt der Änderung der Abtastrate der Abbildung vorgesehen ist.

57. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 oder 36, wobei ferner der Schritt des Übertragens von Information repräsentiert durch die erwähnten elektrischen Signale vorgesehen ist, und zwar durch die Luft zu einer entfernten Stelle.

58. Verfahren nach Anspruch 35 bis 57, wobei ferner folgendes vorgesehen ist:

Detektieren der relativen Position des reflektieren Lichtes um einen Abstand zu dem Barcodesymbol zu bestimmen.

59. Ein Verfahren zum Lesen von Symbolen gebildet durch ein Muster von Anzeigemittel wie beispielsweise Matrixcodes oder Strichcodesymbolen, und zwar mit einem Laser mit mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Modalitäten, wobei folgendes vorgesehen ist:

Bestimmen ob das Symbol zu einer vorbestimmten Kategorie gehört und Erzeugung eines Signals, welches die Kategorie anzeigt, und

Auswählen (304) einer entsprechenden Abtastmodalität ansprechend auf das erwähnte Signal um darauffolgend dieses Signal zu lesen, wobei eine erste Lesemodalität die Abbildung mit einer CCD-Vorrichtung ist, wobei eine zweite Lesemodalität das Abtasten mit einem Lichtstrahl mit "fliegendem Punkt" ist.

60. Verfahren nach Anspruch 59, wobei eine erste Kategorie von Symbolen Matrixcodes sind.

61. Verfahren nach Anspruch 60, wobei eine zweite Kategorie von Symbolen gestapelte Barcodes sind, und zwar einschließlich benachbarter Reihen von linearen Bar- oder Strichcodes.

62. Ein Verfahren zum Lesen von Strichcodesymbolen mit Teilen unterschiedlicher Lichtreflektivität auf einem Ziel mit einem in der Hand zu haltenden Leser, wobei folgendes vorgesehen ist:

a) Emittieren eines Lichtstrahls vom Leser, so dass der Strahl auf einem Pfad auf dem Ziel getastet wird und den Benutzer ermöglicht den Leser auf das Barcodesymbol zu zielen, und

b) Abbilden des reflektierten Lichtes von dem Strichcodesymbol auf einem CCD-Sensor und Erzeugung eines elektrischen Signals, welches eine Anzeige der abgebildeten Lichtintensität bildet und Verarbeiten des elektrischen Signals zur Erzeugung von durch das Strichcodesymbol repräsentierten Daten.

Revendications

1. Lecteur de codes à barres pour lire un signe ayant une réflectivité de lumière différente, ce lecteur de codes à barres comprenant :

un premier assemblage (401) incluant un premier émetteur de lumière laser (207) pour générer un faisceau de lumière et des moyens (209) pour communiquer un mouvement de balayage à ce faisceau de lumière, pour illuminer visuellement le signe, et

un second assemblage (404) incluant un dispositif imageur à l'état solide (206) ayant un réseau d'éléments de détection, pour former une image avec la lumière réfléchie provenant du signe et pour générer un premier signal électrique en réponse à la lumière indiquant le signe, avec laquelle l'image a été formée.

2. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier émetteur de lumière (401) comprend une diode laser.

3. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif imageur à l'état solide (404) est un réseau linéaire de dispositifs à couplage de charge.

4. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif imageur à l'état solide (404) comprend un réseau bidimensionnel d'éléments de détection.

5. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un capteur de lumière ambiante (405, 241) pour détecter le niveau de la lumière ambiante dans le champ d'observation et pour produire un signal de sortie si le niveau de lumière ambiante est supérieur à une valeur de seuil.

6. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 5, comprenant en outre des moyens (406) pour activer l'émetteur de lumière, et dans lequel les moyens pour activer l'émetteur de lumière réagissent audit signal de sortie.

7. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les moyens (406) pour activer l'émetteur de lumière réagissent également au signal électrique.

8. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le signe est un symbole consistant en un code matriciel ou un code à barres dans lequel de l'information est codée en un motif bidimensionnel.

9. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre des moyens (420) pour traiter le signal électrique pour déterminer si le signe est un symbole linéaire ou multidimensionnel.

10. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 9, comprenant en outre des moyens de sélection (420b, 422) pour désactiver le premier émetteur de lumière si les moyens de traitement (420) déterminent que le signe est un symbole consistant en un code à barres d'une certaine catégorie de symbologie.

11. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le signal électrique est représentatif de la lumière produite par le premier émetteur de lumière et réfléchie par le signe.

12. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le signal électrique est représentatif de la lumière ambiante réfléchie par le signe.

13. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif imageur à l'état solide balaie un champ d'observation à une cadence de balayage plus rapide que celle du faisceau de lumière de balayage.

14. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif imageur à l'état solide balaie un champ d'observation à une cadence de balayage notablement inférieure à celle du faisceau de lumière de balayage.

15. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif imageur à l'état solide balaie périodiquement un champ d'observation et cesse ensuite de balayer le champ d'observation pendant un intervalle de temps.

16. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les moyens de traitement (420) comprennent un discriminateur de symbologie (420b) pour discriminer entre des signes de types de symbologie différents.

17. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 16, dans lequel l'un des types de symbologie est un réseau matriciel de formes géométriques.

18. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 17, dans lequel le premier émetteur de lumière (401) est désactivé au moment où les moyens de traitement (420) détectent un réseau matriciel de symboles.

19. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier émetteur de lumière et le dispositif imageur à l'état solide sont disposés dans un boîtier (201) tenu à la main.

20. Lecteur de codes à barres selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre :

un second émetteur de lumière (240) pour générer un faisceau de lumière pour illuminer un champ d'observation.

21. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 20, dans lequel le second émetteur de lumière (240) comprend une diode électroluminescente, et cette diode électroluminescente et le premier émetteur de lumière sont disposés dans un seul boîtier.

22. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 20, dans lequel le dispositif imageur à l'état solide est un dispositif à couplage de charge linéaire disposé dans le lecteur de façon qu'une dimension allongée du dispositif à couplage de charge soit parallèle à une dimension allongée du faisceau de lumière de balayage.

23. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 20 lorsqu'elle est rattachée à la revendication 5, comprenant en outre des moyens (406) pour activer le second émetteur de lumière (240), et dans lequel les moyens pour activer le second émetteur de lumière réagissent au signal de sortie.

24. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 20 lorsqu'elle est rattachée à la revendication 5, comprenant en outre des moyens (406) pour activer le premier et/ou le second émetteur de lumière, et
dans lequel les moyens pour activer le premier et/ou le second émetteur de lumière réagissent au signal de sortie.

25. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 20, dans lequel le dispositif imageur à l'état solide mesure une dimension allongée d'une image de ligne de balayage sur le capteur pour déterminer la distance du signe.

26. Lecteur de codes à barres selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les éléments de détection génèrent un signal électrique représentant les variations d'intensité spatiales du signe.

27. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 26, comprenant en outre des moyens d'intégration pour traiter l'information de sortie de chacun des éléments de détection pour produire un seul signal de sortie.

28. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 27, dans lequel les éléments de détection sont balayés avec une cadence de balayage variable.

29. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 26, comprenant en outre une optique de mise au point automatique pour recevoir la lumière réfléchie et régler le point focal de l'image sur le réseau d'éléments de détection.

30. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 19 ou 20, dans lequel les éléments de détection sont balayés à une cadence de balayage, et comprenant en outre des moyens de commande pouvant être actionnés, dans le boîtier, pour changer la cadence de balayage des éléments de détection.

31. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 30, comprenant en outre des moyens émetteurs (514) dans le boîtier pour émettre de l'information à travers l'air vers un récepteur placé à distance du lecteur de codes à barres.

32. Lecteur de codes à barres selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre :

un photodétecteur (409) pour détecter la lumière réfléchie par le signe et pour générer un second signal électrique représentant des variations d'intensité spatiales du signe.

33. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 32, comprenant en outre :

un premier discriminateur de symbologie (420b) pour recevoir un premier signal correspondant au premier signal électrique et pour générer un premier signal de sortie si ce premier signal indique un signe qui n'est pas conforme à une première catégorie de signes;

un second discriminateur de symbologie (424b) pour recevoir un second signal correspondant au second signal électrique et pour générer un second signal de sortie si ce second signal indique un signe qui n'est pas conforme à la seconde catégorie de signes;

un désactivateur (426) pour désactiver le dispositif imageur à l'état solide (404) en réponse au premier signal de sortie et pour désactiver le photodétecteur (409) en réponse au second signal de sortie.

34. Lecteur de codes à barres selon la revendication 33, dans lequel la première catégorie de signes consiste en codes matriciels et la seconde catégorie de signes consiste en codes à barres superposés incluant des rangées adjacentes de codes à barres linéaires.

35. Procédé pour lire un signe codé ayant des parties de réflectivité de lumière différente,
   comprenant les étapes suivantes :

a) on dirige un faisceau de lumière provenant d'une source de lumière selon un chemin allant vers le signe codé, le faisceau de lumière étant soumis à un balayage sur un chemin le long du symbole, et
   on détecte au moins une partie de la lumière d'intensité variable réfléchie par le signe codé et on génère un premier signal électrique indiquant l'intensité de lumière détectée,

b) on traite le premier signal électrique pour déterminer s'il peut être décodé en données représentées par le signe codé;

c) dans le cas où le premier signal électrique ne peut pas être décodé en données, on forme une image de la lumière réfléchie à partir du signe sur un dispositif imageur à l'état solide (404) incluant un réseau d'éléments de détection, et on génère un second signal électrique indiquant l'intensité de lumière détectée; et

d) on traite le second signal électrique pour déterminer s'il peut être décodé en données représentées par le signe codé.

36. Procédé pour lire un signe codé ayant des parties de réflectivité de lumière différente,
   comprenant les étapes suivantes :

a) on forme une image de la lumière réfléchie par le signe, sur un dispositif imageur à l'état solide (404) incluant un réseau d'éléments de détection, et on génère un premier signal électrique indiquant l'intensité de lumière détectée; et

b) on traite le premier signal électrique pour déterminer s'il peut être décodé en données représentées par le signe codé;

c) dans le cas où le premier signal électrique ne peut pas être décodé en données, on dirige un faisceau de lumière à partir d'une source de lumière selon un chemin allant vers le signe codé, le faisceau de lumière étant soumis à un balayage sur un chemin le long du symbole, et
   on détecte au moins une partie de la lumière d'intensité variable réfléchie par le signe codé et on génère un second signal électrique indiquant l'intensité de lumière détectée,

d) on traite le second signal électrique pour déterminer s'il peut être décodé en données représentées par le signe codé.

37. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel le faisceau de lumière est un faisceau de lumière laser.

38. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, comprenant en outre les étapes consistant à détecter le niveau de la lumière ambiante dans un champ d'observation et à produire un signal de sortie si le niveau de lumière ambiante est supérieur à une valeur de seuil.

39. Procédé selon la revendication 38, comprenant en outre l'étape consistant à générer le faisceau de lumière en réponse au signal de sortie.

40. Procédé selon la revendication 39, dans lequel l'étape de génération du faisceau de lumière dépend également du signal électrique.

41. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel le signe est un symbole consistant en un code matriciel ou un code à barres dans lequel de l'information est codée en un motif bidimensionnel.

42. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, comprenant en outre l'étape de traitement du signal électrique pour déterminer si le signe est un symbole linéaire ou multidimensionnel.

43. Procédé selon la revendication 42, comprenant en outre l'étape consistant à arrêter la génération du faisceau de lumière si le traitement détermine que le symbole est un symbole de code à barres d'une certaine catégorie de symbologie.

44. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel le signal électrique est représentatif de la lumière provenant du faisceau de lumière réfléchi par le signe.

45. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel le signal électrique est représentatif de la lumière ambiante réfléchie par le signe.

46. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel la formation d'image est effectuée en balayant un champ d'observation à une cadence de balayage plus rapide que celle du faisceau de lumière de balayage.

47. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel la formation d'image est effectuée en balayant un champ d'observation à une cadence de balayage notablement plus lente que celle du faisceau de lumière de balayage.

48. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel la formation d'image balaie périodiquement un champ d'observation et cesse ensuite de balayer le champ d'observation pendant un intervalle de temps.

49. Procédé selon la revendication 42, dans lequel le traitement comprend la discrimination entre des signes de différents types de symbologie.

50. Procédé selon la revendication 49, dans lequel l'un des types de symbologie est un réseau matriciel de formes géométriques.

51. Procédé selon la revendication 50, dans lequel le faisceau de lumière est arrêté au moment de la détection d'un réseau matriciel pendant le traitement.

52. Procédé selon la revendication 38, comprenant en outre l'étape de génération du faisceau de lumière et/ou du faisceau de lumière de balayage en réponse au signal de sortie.

53. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel la formation d'image fournit de multiples signaux de sortie, et comprenant en outre l'étape de traitement des multiples signaux de sortie pour générer un seul signal de sortie.

54. Procédé selon la revendication 53, dans lequel la formation d'image est effectuée par balayage à une cadence de balayage variable.

55. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, comprenant en outre les étapes consistant à recevoir la lumière réfléchie et à régler la formation d'image en réponse à la lumière réfléchie reçue.

56. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, dans lequel la formation d'image est effectuée à une cadence de balayage, et comprenant en outre l'étape consistant à changer la cadence de balayage de la formation d'image.

57. Procédé selon la revendication 35 ou 36, comprenant en outre l'étape consistant à émettre à travers l'air, vers un emplacement distant, de l'information représentée par les signaux électriques.

58. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 35-37, comprenant en outre :

la détection de la position relative de la lumière réfléchie pour déterminer une distance jusqu'au symbole de code à barres.

59. Procédé pour lire des symboles formés par une configuration de signes, comme des codes matriciels ou des symboles de codes à barres, avec un lecteur ayant au moins deux modalités de lecture distinctes, comprenant les étapes suivantes :

on détermine si le symbole est d'une catégorie prédéterminée et on génère un signal indiquant sa catégorie, et

on sélectionne (304) une modalité de balayage respective en réponse au signal, pour lire ensuite un tel symbole,

   dans lequel une première modalité de lecture est une formation d'image avec un dispositif (CCD),
   dans lequel une seconde modalité de lecture est un balayage avec un faisceau de lumière à spot mobile.

60. Procédé selon la revendication 59, dans lequel une première catégorie de symboles consiste en codes matriciels.

61. Procédé selon la revendication 60, dans lequel une seconde catégorie de symboles consiste en codes à barres superposés incluant des rangées adjacentes de codes à barres linéaires.

62. Procédé pour lire sur une cible, avec un lecteur tenu à la main, des symboles de codes à barres ayant des parties de réflectivité de lumière différente,
   comprenant les étapes suivantes :

a) on émet un faisceau de lumière à partir du lecteur de façon que le faisceau soit soumis à un balayage lui faisant parcourir un chemin sur la cible et permette à l'utilisateur de pointer le lecteur vers le symbole de code à barres, et

b) on forme sur un capteur à dispositif à couplage de charge (CCD) une image de la lumière réfléchie par le symbole de code à barres, et on génère un signal électrique indiquant l'intensité de lumière formant l'image, et on traite le signal électrique pour produire des données représentées par le symbole de code à barres.

Drawing